Caterer Dory Ford is charged with defrauding the government out of $4 million in Covid relief funds.

The U.S. Department of Justice has issued an indictment charging Dory Ford, owner of the catering company Aqua Terra Culinary, with six counts related to alleged bank fraud, wire fraud and money laundering amounting to approximately $4 million.

The government alleges that Ford applied for loans and grants through Covid-related recovery programs, including the Paycheck Protection Program, the Restaurant Revitalization Fund and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program beginning around April of 2020.

According to the indictment, Ford received at PPP loan of almost $309,000 in May of 2020 then applied for a second in January 2021. The indictment contends that "Ford falsely stated 'No'" to a question regarding existing loans. This application was reportedly approved, as well.

U.S. Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey's issued the indictment after a federal grand jury reviewed charges following an investigation involving the IRS and Office of Inspector General.

The accusations allege that Ford continued to make false statements on other applications, then used the funds to purchase property in Placentia, Belize, purchase stocks through a broker and fund Mycology Sciences, described as a nutritional supplement company owned by Ford. (He founded the mushroom tincture company MycoSci in 2021.)

Court documents suggest that Ford's popular catering company was no longer in business by some point in 2021. But one Weekly staffer had dealings by phone with the company related to a 2022 wedding, and received a quote.

Ford could not be reached for comment by deadline. His initial court appearance is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 31 in U.S. District Court in San Jose. Ford has not been taken into custody.