Call us or complete the form below. The Government alleged Hunt submitted fraudulent loan applications obtaining approximately $396,875.00. Help us crowdsource fraud detection in the PPP program! Mr. Smith pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud. Mr. Tezna was sentenced to 18 months in prison. Brandon Casutt was charged with making false statements to a bank, wire fraud, bank fraud, and money laundering. 3. Mr. Cotton pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud on March 4, 2022, and his sentencing is scheduled for September 2, 2022. On November 9, 2021, Mr. Reuth pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and he is scheduled for sentencing on December 12, 2022. The Government alleged that Mr. Tezna submitted fraudulent loan applications and obtained $350,000 in COVID-19 relief funds. The case is pending and no trial date has been scheduled at this time. Tristan Pan was charged with wire fraud, bank fraud, and money laundering. April Falgoust was charged with one count of wire fraud. 1d ago. The Government alleged that Ms. Ford-Victory submitted more than 100 fraudulent Pandemic Unemployment Assistance claims seeking over $1.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds. Mr. Smith pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud. Curtis and Dereen Porch were charged with three counts of wire fraud and one count of theft of government property. Grigor Garibyan was charged with two counts of theft of government property. The Government alleged that Mr. Smith submitted fraudulent loan applications and obtained over $1 million in COVID-19 relief funds. Mr. McGee pleaded not guilty, and his trial is scheduled for January 24, 2023. Mr. Hosey pleaded guilty, and his sentencing date is to be determined. Mr. Nicoloff pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 30 months in prison on May 9, 2022. The case was brought in Buffalo, New York, and it is currently pending. On March 25, 2022, Mr. Benlevi was found guilty on all counts at trial. To help our clients understand the scope of these PPP and EIDL loan fraud investigations, and to make sure they are being treated fairly in the process, we keep close track of federal criminal cases involving CARES Act programs. SBA Paycheck Protection Program Data Lookup - FederalPay The Government alleged that Mr. McKenzie and Ms. Bostic participated in a conspiracy with others that involved submitting fraudulent loan applications seeking a total of $24 million in COVID-19 relief funds. E! Does something look fishy to you? Nicholas Jones was charged with wire fraud and falsification of records. The case was brought in Greenbelt, Maryland. The Paycheck Protection Program prioritizes millions of Americans employed by small businesses by authorizing up to $659 billion toward job retention and certain other expenses. Congress enacted law that prohibits PPP loans to "certain entities organized under the laws of the People's Republic of . The Government alleged that Mr. and Ms. Collins submitted fraudulent loan applications seeking approximately $1.9 million in COVID-19 relief funds. Mr. Gautreaux pleaded guilty to one count of making false statements to a financial institution. Report it to the Small Business Administrations with just a few clicks. Mr. Ashcraft pleaded guilty on May 9, 2022, to one count of wire fraud and one count of bank fraud and is scheduled to be sentenced on October 17, 2022. The case was brought in Newark, New Jersey. Brandie Williams and Brittany Herbert were charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of bank fraud. The case was brought in Providence, Rhode Island. PPP data The Government alleged that Ms. Martins submitted fraudulent loan applications seeking over $40,000 in COVID-19 relief funds. On November 15, 2021, he was sentenced to 51 months in prison. The Government alleged that Mr. Martinez acquired approval to issue PPP loans as a non-bank lender and earned over $70 million in lender fees. Please cite ProPublica by linking to this page. The Problem: This couple used fraudulently obtained PPP and EIDL funds to pad and flaunt a luxury lifestyle. Some employees received about $40,000 in loans, he said. Cosmetics, Beauty Supplies, and Perfume Stores, Specialized Freight (except Used Goods) Trucking, Local, Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Merchant Wholesalers, Mens and Boys Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturing, Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers, Agents and Managers for Artists, Athletes, Entertainers, and Other Public Figures, Meat and Meat Product Merchant Wholesalers, All Other Miscellaneous Store Retailers (except Tobacco Stores), All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services, Drycleaning and Laundry Services (except Coin-Operated). Tiyari Collins and Farah Collins were each charged by separate information with one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States, and Mr. Tiyari was also charged with one count of fraud and false statements based on his filing of fraudulent tax returns. On March 2, 2022, Ms. Martins pleaded guilty to the charges and is scheduled to be sentenced on August 4, 2022. According to analysis by Bloomberg, while FinTechs processed just 15 percent of PPP loans overall, they are associated with 75 percent of the approved PPP loans that the Department of Justice 3(DOJ) connected with fraud. The Government alleged that Mr. This case was brought in New Orleans, Louisiana. She was sentenced to 24 months in prison. The case was brought in Houston, Texas. On November 9, 2021, Mr. Boncimino pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering. Vinicius Santana was charged with one count of wire fraud. The Government alleged that Ms. Swope and Ms. Pearson submitted fraudulent loan applications seeking over $5 million in COVID-19 relief funds. The Government alleged that Mr. Hosey knowingly and willfully conspired to commit fraud against the United States regarding COVDI-19 relief funds. The Government alleged that Ms. Miller used other peoples personal identifying information to open bank accounts and submit fraudulent loan applications for over $900,000 in COVID-19 relief funds. PDF Data as of December 26, 11:59 PM ET Summary - Small Business Administration The case was brought in Atlanta, Georgia. The Government alleged that Mr. Schampers filed one fraudulent loan application seeking almost $300,000 in COVID-19 relief funds. The Government alleged that Mr. Dorceus owner of Elevate Horizons submitted fraudulent loan applications obtaining approximately $300,000 I COVI-19 relief funds. Nevis pleaded not guilty on May 26, 2022, and the case is currently pending. The Government alleged that Mr. Garcia submitted fraudulent loan applications for over $285,000 in COVID-19 relief funds. The Government alleged that Christopher and Erin Mazzei submitted fraudulent loan applications and obtained over $1.3 million in COVID-19 relief funds. The case was brought in Boston, Massachusetts. See Wook Chung was charged with fraud by wire, radio, or television. Eldabbagh pleaded guilty and is scheduled for sentencing on August 25, 2022. The case was brought in Los Angeles, California. SBA Office of Inspector General (SBA-OIG) The SBA Office of Inspector General (SBA-OIG) is the integrity and accountability arm of the SBA. He was sentenced to 80 months in prison on March 3, 2022. The case was brought in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Mr. McCants pleaded guilty on June 6, 2022 and is scheduled for sentencing on September 9, 2022. Mr. The Government alleged that Mr. Pierre submitted fraudulent loan applications seeking $414,000 in COVID-19 relief funds. She was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day. Larry D. Jordan and Sutukh El were charged with attempt and conspiracy to commit mail fraud. On March 11, 2021, Bern Benoit pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud. The case was brought in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. The case was brought in Dallas, Texas. Tianna Hart was charged with one count of making false statements to an agency of the U.S. The data shown has been made available to the public by the SBA. The Government alleged Mr. Stewart submitted fraudulent loan application through The Infinity Group of SC, LLC to obtain approximately $300,000.00 in COVID-19 relief funds. Updated Jan. 11, 2023, Search Every Company Approved for Federal Loans. $341 Million in PPP Fraud So Far, and Counting - Small Business Trends The case was brought in San Francisco, California. Mack Devon Knight was charged with two counts of wire fraud, one count of making a false statement, one count of making a false statement on a loan application, and one count of money laundering. The Government alleged that the two businessmen submitted fraudulent loan applications seeking over $500,000. The Government alleged that Mr. Redding submitted 2 fraudulent loan applications seeking over $40,000 in COVID-19 relief funds. Contact: newsroom@ci.irs.gov. The Government alleged misappropriated COVID-19 relief funds that his medical clinic received from the Federal Government, based in part on transfers from his clinics account to his personal account. Robert Bearden was charged with three counts of wire fraud and one count of theft of government funds. Lee Price was charged with wire fraud, bank fraud, money laundering, and making false statements to a lending institution. Jason Carter was charged with one count of wire fraud. The Government alleged that Mr. Blotnick submitted fraudulent loan applications seeking $4.6 million COVID-19 relief funds and transferring that money to his brokerage accounts to buy stock. Majority of Paycheck Protection Program loans have been forgiven, SBA . Marcus Frazier was charged with major fraud against the United States, making false statements on a loan application, making false statements to the Government, making false statements to the Small Business Administration, money laundering, wire fraud, and bank fraud. The case was brought in Atlanta, Georgia. The case was brought in Cleveland, Ohio. ATLANTA - Seventeen more individuals have been charged in connection with a fraudulent scheme to obtain approximately $11.1 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and to use those funds to purchase luxury vehicles, jewelry, and other personal items. Both Ms. Stanley and Mr. Philus have pleaded guilty. He was sentenced to 63 months in prison. This case was brought in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Government alleged that Mr. Henley submitted fraudulent loan applications and obtained over $1 million in COVID-19 relief funds. The case was brought in Miami, Florida. IRS Criminal Investigation (CI) pledges continued commitment to Christopher Mazzei and Erin Mazzei were charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to launder money and money laundering. The Government alleged that Mr. Gaughan submitted fraudulent loan applications seeking approximately $2.1 million in COVID-19 relief funds. The Government alleged that Mr. Moller submitted several fraudulent loan applications seeking over $4.7 million in COVID-19 relief funds. Martin Kao was charged with multiple counts of wire fraud and money laundering. Baoke Zhang was charged with wire fraud. Kabbage, which processed over $7 billion in PPP . Mr. Sah had pleaded guilty. 94% of the total 2020 PPP loan value has been forgiven, in full or in part. Robert Stewart was charged with wire fraud, theft of government funds, and making false statements. Moon submitted fraudulent loan applications on behalf of sixteen businesses seeking over $2 million in COVID-19 relief funds. PPP-Loan Investigation Links Fraud Loans to Fintech Companies It is also alleged that Santana used the funds to purchase vehicles and invest in cryptocurrency. The case was brought in Los Angeles, California. "The two operating components of the [SBA-OIG] are the Auditing Division and the Investigations Division. The Government alleged that Mr. Suber submitted fraudulent loan applications and obtained $350,000 in COVID-19 relief funds. Next on our list is a South Florida couple who, authorities say, filled their bank accounts with over $800,000 in PPP loans and over 200,000 in Economic Injury Disaster Loans. On June 22, 2021, Mr. Hamilton was sentenced to 6 months in prison. Rodericque Thompson, Micah Baisden, Travis Crosby, Keith Maloney, Tabronx Smith, and Thomas Wilson were charged with attempt and conspiracy to commit fraud, bank fraud, making false statements to a financial institution, and money laundering. The Government alleged that Mr. Chapon submitted fraudulent loan applications through her corporate entities Heavenly Tahoe Properties, Desert Sun Events, and Tahoe Weddings and Events obtaining approximately $596,231.00 in COVID-19 relief funds. Her sentencing is scheduled for January 12, 2022. Debra Hackstadt was charged with wire fraud. Teamwork and Farms. Mr. Brenizer pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 57 months on June 17, 2022. On November 11, 2021, Mr. Montgomery pleaded guilty, but the terms of his plea are under seal, and he is scheduled for sentencing on September 29, 2022. Tarik Jaafar was charged with conspiracy against the United States and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. On October 8, 2021, Damion McKenzie pleaded guilty, and he was sentenced to 44 months on January 21, 2022. Mr. Schampers is scheduled for trial on September 26, 2022. We also help our clients gain access to seized or frozen accounts by working with banks, and government agents to release money that rightfully belongs to our clients. On October 12, 2021, Mr. Moller was sentenced to 70 months in prison. The case was brought in Fort Myers, Florida. Joseph Cartlidge, David Redfern, and Eric McMiller were charged with multiple counts of wire fraud, bank fraud, and attempt and conspiracy to commit fraud. Tracking PPP: Search Every Company Approved for Federal Loans - ProPublica The Government alleged that Mr. Johnson through his company Million Man LLC submitted fraudulent loan application to obtain over $2.6 million in COVID-19 relief funds. PPP Loan Scams: 900 open criminal investigations, 100 arrested - WAVE This case was brought in Portland, Oregon. The Government alleged that Jalloul, a tax consultant, submitted approximately 170 loan applications for over 160 of his clients seeking over $23 million in COVID-19 relief funds. The Government alleged that Ms. Stanley and Mr. Philus submitted fraudulent loan applications seeking over $1 million in COVID-19 relief funds. Mark Mason, Jr. was charged with one count of wire fraud and money laundering. On January 31, 2022, Ms. Ford-Victory pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud conspiracy. This will take the form of government and whistleblower investigations, including False Claims Act claims related to loans that went to companies (and fraudsters) that should not have received these . The Government filed a criminal complaint on October 11, 2021. The Government alleged that Mr. Foster submitted fraudulent loan applications through Bellator Phront Group Inc., Impact Creations LLC, Gaines Reservation and travel, Transportation Management Service Inc., Lee Operations LLC, RK Painting Co., D Parker Holdings Inc., Continuing Success Inc., All Star Room & Board Services of Michigan Inc., Infinite Education Services Inc., ML Exotic Customs Inc., Bellevie Corp, Advertising and Then Some Inc., and Mickies Auto and Tires LLC obtained approximately $11.1 million in COVID-19 relief funds. The Government alleged that Mr. Robinson submitted fraudulent loan applications through his corporation ATeam LV, LLC obtaining approximately $1,502,270.00 in COVID-19 relief funds. Teldrin Foster was charged with multiple counts of wire fraud, bank fraud, and attempt and conspiracy to commit fraud. Mukund Mohan was charged with several counts each of wire fraud and money laundering. Attorneys, including the Fraud Section, have resulted in a variety of charges, including wire fraud (18 U.S.C. On January 20, 2022, he was sentenced to 60 months in prison. The case was brought in West Palm Beach, Florida. He was sentenced to 41 months in prison on January 14, 2021. On August 4, 2021, Mr. Ridge pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud. Elijah Buoi was charged with wire fraud and making false statements to a bank. The Government alleged that Soto submitted 17 fraudulent loan applications and obtained approximately $246,000 in COVID-19 reliefs funds. Her trial began on December 6, 2021, and on December 8, 2021, a jury found her guilty on all counts. Deon is scheduled to be sentenced on October 5, 2022, and Abdul-Azeem is scheduled to be sentenced on October 7, 2022. Small Business Administration (SBA) released a list of all the businesses their loan amount with Bank and business details. PPP Loan Fraud is Out of Control! Case Investigations & EIDL Fraud They also alleged that he submitted fraudulent loan applications seeking over $6.9 million in COVID-19 relief funds. Mr. Hayes pleaded guilty. Don Cisternino was extradited from Croatia to face wire fraud, identity fraud, and illegal monetary transaction charges. Johnson Eustache was charged with wire fraud and false statements. Mr. Eustache pleaded guilty to an information on July 8, 2021. Mr. Doss pleaded guilty on June 27, 2022, and is scheduled to be sentenced on October 27, 2022. Our firm helps people who are being charged or investigated for alleged fraud in applying for or taking out PPP and EIDL loansfunded by the CARES Act. This site is not affiliated with the SBA or any other governmental body. Organizations approved for loans between $150,000 and $10 million. This case was brought in Greenville, South Carolina. Mr. Buoi was found guilty of all charges on February 24, 2022. The case was brought in Los Angeles, California. Ms. Durhart was sentenced to 96 months in prison on June 23, 2022. On May 23, 2022 Mr. Duffield and Mr. Latourneau were sentenced to time served. On February 1, 2022, Mr. Redding was sentenced to a total of 7 years in prison. Mr. and Ms. Mitchum pleaded guilty on January 12, 2022 and are scheduled to be sentenced on July 29, 2022. PPP loan fraud investigations are on the rise across the country. Elias Eldabbagh was charged with wire fraud, monetary transaction of criminally derived property, aggravated identity theft, and destruction or removal of property to prevent seizure. William Sadleir was charged in two caseshe was charged with wire fraud, making false statements to a bank, bank fraud, and money laundering in the Central District of California on July 17, 2020. Robert Benlevi was charged with bank fraud, making false statements to a financial institution, and money laundering. Hackstadt pleaded guilty on May 19, 2022, and is scheduled to be sentenced on October 6, 2022. Christian Johnson was charged with fraud by wire, radio or television, and bank fraud. The Government alleged that Mr. Kindambu submitted fraudulent loan applications and obtained over $2.5 million in COVID-19 relief funds. However, the participation of FinTechs in the PPP may have led to increased incidents of fraud. On June 16, 2021, Darrell Thomas pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud and one count of money laundering, and he also admitted to additional fraud as part of his plea deal, including obtaining fraudulent automobile loans. Mr. Yates pleaded guilty on May 6, 2022, and sentencing has not been scheduled. There are, of course, many other CARES Act fraud investigations currently pending that may later result in criminal charges. Aaron Ashcraft was charged with several counts of wire fraud and bank fraud. On October 7, 2021, Mr. Staveley was sentenced to 44 months for the bank fraud offense and 12 additional months for his failure to appear, run consecutively for a total of 56 months. The case was brought in Atlanta, Georgia. Mr. Williams pleaded guilty on October 13, 2020, and his sentencing has not been scheduled. The Government alleges that the defendants engaged in a scheme where they obtained other peoples personal identifying information to apply for COVID-19 relief loans, which they obtained for people in exchange for kickbacks. Andrew Tezna was charged with one count of bank fraud. Maurice Mills was charged with one count of wire fraud. PPP Loan Search; FL; Miami Beach; Business Name Loan Amount Lender; LINDY L NOWAK: 17500: City National Bank of Florida: SPIAGGIA INC: 17500: Date: December 8, 2021. The case was brought in Providence, Rhode Island. He was sentenced to 4 years in prison on July 18, 2022. Mr. Johnson was held accountable for fraudulently obtaining a loan of $389,627. The Government alleged that the married couple defrauded 1,700 victims in a scheme involving applying for small business loans and fraudulently collecting unemployment benefits. Ms. Norton pleaded guilty on November 12, 2020, and she is scheduled to be sentenced on November 10, 2022. Izzat Freitekh and Tarik Freitekh were charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, bank fraud scheme, money laundering, and other related charges. The Government alleged that Ms. Johnson filed fraudulent unemployment insurance applications under stolen identities to receive over $700,000 in benefits during the pandemic. The Government alleged Ms. Misseldine stole the identity of a deceased infant who passed in 1979 and used that identity to obtain a passport, gain admission into a university, and submit fraudulent loan applications to obtain approximately $1.5 million in COVID-19 relief funds. The case was brought in Seattle, Washington. Ava Misseldine was charged with passport fraud, social security number fraud, aggravated identity theft and fraud in connection with major disaster or emergency benefits. The Government alleged that DiMassa, a Connecticut State Representative, conspired with the other defendants to submit fraudulent invoices for services that were never provided by the City of West Haven. Mr. Henley pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud. The case was brought in Newport News, Virginia. Tiara Walker was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud, wire fraud, and bank fraud. The Government alleged that Mr. McCants, along with 21 other individuals, conspired to submit fraudulent loan applications seeking over $3.8 million in COVID-19 relief funds. The primary federal agencies that are currently conducting PPP loan fraud investigations are: 1. On September 18, 2020, Mr. Butziger pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud. The defendants have been charged by complaint. The Government alleged that Ms. Hart, a former Deputy Sheriff, made a false statement to the SBA in her PPP application. His appeal is pending. The Government alleged that Mr. McGee, along with 21 other individuals, conspired to submit fraudulent loan applications seeking over $3.8 million in COVID-19 relief funds. Omar Smith was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud. The case was brought in Atlanta, Georgia. The Government alleged that the couple conspired to submit fraudulent loan applications seeking over $5.1 million in COVID-19 relief funds. Disclaimer|Sitemap. Adarin Jones pleaded guilty on June 22, 2022, and is scheduled for sentencing on October 6, 2022. On November 24, 2021, Ms. Bostic was convicted after a jury trial on one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud and three counts of wire fraud. Mr. Stewart pleaded guilty to all charges. The Government alleged that Schoepflin and Leon filed fraudulent loan applications seeking over $300,000 in COVID-19 relief funds. Moe Ayemen Mathews was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud. The case was brought in Greensboro, North Carolina. On June 24, 2021, Ms. Benton pleaded guilty to mail fraud. The woman pleaded guilty to wire fraud and making false statements in response to a grand jury's indictment last year. Stanley Dorceus was charged with conspiracy to defraud the United Sates. The Government also alleged that Israyelyan used the funds for his own personal use and transferred the proceeds to his family members. The PPP provides businesses with forgivable loans to pay for temporary payroll costs and certain other business expenses including mortgages, rent, and utilities. The case was brought in Buffalo, New York and it is currently pending. On September 14, 2021, Mr. Goldstein was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day in prison. Acknowledging PPP loan applicants' compliance burdens (and the limited information that was initially made available to applicants), the U.S. Small Business Administration ( SBA) offered a grace period within which companies could return improperly obtained PPP loans without penalty. Their sentencing date has not been scheduled at this time. Christina McConnell was charged with two counts of illegal monetary transactions.