A Utah man has been sentenced to two years in federal prison after being convicted of stealing nearly $393,000 in federal and state funds during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mubarak Sulaiman Ukashat, 38, of Kaysville, Utah, previously served as president of the Muslim Student Club at Utah State University.
Ukashat pleaded guilty on February 6, 2025, to failure to file currency and other monetary instruments reports. In addition to his prison sentence, he was ordered by a U.S. District Court Judge to serve three years of supervised release and pay $392,827 in restitution. He also agreed to forfeit $101,000.
Court documents and statements made during Ukashat’s plea and sentencing hearings show that between June and July 2020, he fraudulently obtained about $333,900 through Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL). He submitted four fraudulent EIDL applications to the U.S. Small Business Association using names of individuals with whom he had no connection. The funds were directed into the USUSA Muslim Student Club bank account at America First Credit Union, which Ukashat controlled.
After receiving the money, Ukashat transferred the proceeds into another account he jointly owned with a relative before spending them on personal expenses. He also unlawfully received $58,927 in state unemployment insurance benefits for which he was not eligible.
The investigation found that Ukashat used the stolen funds for various purchases including a $45,900 GMC Yukon vehicle; $27,000 worth of electronics; $21,000 to pay off a car loan; $20,000 for debt payments; $10,000 as earnest money toward buying a house; and $5,200 for college expenses. More than $100,000 was transferred overseas to countries such as Nigeria and Dubai.
“Acting U.S. Attorney Felice John Viti of the District of Utah made the announcement.”
The case was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI). Assistant United States Attorneys Todd Bouton and Mark Y. Hirata prosecuted the case.
