Nevada ISP Owner Indicted in $7.8 Million Broadband Grant Fraud Case

A Northern Nevada internet service provider owner has been indicted on federal charges alleging he embezzled more than $7.8 million from a federally funded broadband expansion project near Lovelock, according to KRNV-TV.

Prosecutors say Stephen Kromer, owner of Uprise LLC, diverted money from a $27 million USDA ReConnect grant intended to bring high-speed internet to rural communities. The indictment alleges he transferred project funds to personal accounts, falsified records, and converted more than $6.2 million into cryptocurrency.

Kromer faces 16 federal charges, including theft of government funds, money laundering, and submitting false documents. He is scheduled to make his initial court appearance on June 24. The FBI and USDA Office of Inspector General investigated the case.