politics
May 8, 2026
Nicaraguan Sentenced to 15 Years for US$29 Million Fraud in the United States
A U.S. federal court sentenced Nicaraguan citizen Ernesto Ortega Padgett to 15 years in prison for leading a criminal organization that defrauded U.S. financial institutions and citizens of over $29.3 million. Judge Beth Bloom of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida issued the sentence after months of judicial proceedings that began with the defendant's extradition from Europe.
TL;DR
- Ernesto Ortega Padgett, a Nicaraguan citizen, sentenced to 15 years in prison for leading a $29.3 million fraud.
- The criminal organization used 'spoofing' to impersonate banks and commit electronic fraud.
- Stolen funds were converted to cryptocurrency and moved internationally using 'money mules'.
- The scheme also involved extortion and threats of violence.
- Ortega Padgett had a history of evading authorities, including deportation from the U.S. in 2020 and flight from Spain.
- He was captured in Paris and extradited to the U.S. in June 2025.
- In addition to prison time, he faces three years of supervised release and must restitution $29.3 million.