NC man pleads guilty to 9 counts of wire fraud in Covid relief scheme

A man pleaded guilty Thursday who was at the center of a WRAL investigation for stealing taxpayer dollars.

Wilson Olivera pleaded guilty to nine counts of wire fraud, since several companies got more than one fraudulent loan. It totaled more than $1.5 million.

Olivera’s sentencing is set for early next year.

WRAL Investigates’ story about Olivera tipped off federal investigators about the fraud.

Olivera’s guilty plea comes 19 months after WRAL Investigates first raised questions about a series of Covid relief loans given to local businesses that didn't appear to have any employees.

A video from the summer shows when federal agents arrested Olivera.

In one freeze frame, it appears federal agents took a large wad of money.

WRAL Investigates first investigated Olivera and his companies in the spring of 2023.

WRAL Investigates found six different companies, but only one, the Insurance Centers in Garner, was actually doing business.

WRAL Investigates tried to contact Olivera back then, even leaving a letter, but never heard back.