Garner man uses fake companies named after Game of Thrones references to scam government out of $1.7 million

A Garner man was sentenced to 20 months in prison after federal officials say he received $1.7 million in fraudulent COVID-19 relief funding.

Tristan Bishop Pan, 40, submitted false Paycheck Protection Program loan applications designated for small businesses. He made false claims about companies he didn’t own and employees he didn't have, according to federal court documents.

He named his companies using references to the popular book series "Game of Thrones," including names and titles like Khaleesi, White Walkers and the Night's Watch.

Federal officials said he also falsified tax filings to obtain the PPP loans.

He pled guilty to submitting at least 14 false PPP loan applications.

U.S. Attorney Michael Francis Easley Jr. launched a new federal task force to go after people like Pan who obtain fraudulent COVID-19 relief funds.

Easley said there were "networks" of criminals sharing ways to defraud the system during the pandemic.

“We want to ensure not just that we prosecute those who commit crimes, but that we also ensure crime doesn’t pay," Easley said. "We can have civil remedies and forfeitures of funds that were taken based on false representations and lies to the government.”