Colorado Springs PPP and EIDL Loan Fraud Lawyers
As the world faced the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) was created under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to provide urgent financial relief to American businesses. Congress authorized over $950 billion in forgivable loans to help small businesses maintain their workforce, have access to working capital, and keep operations running normally.
However, as the government distributed these crucial funds, it soon became apparent that a significant portion had been obtained fraudulently by parties who wouldn’t otherwise qualify for a loan. In response, federal agencies and departments have launched a vigorous campaign to investigate and prosecute allegations of PPP loan fraud, dedicating entire sections of the Department of Justice to these efforts.
If you or your business is facing charges of PPP loan fraud, the stakes are high. Penalties for conviction can include severe fines, home detention, community confinement, paying the cost of prosecution, forfeitures, restitution, supervised release, and lengthy imprisonment. For immigrants, the consequences of a fraud conviction can be particularly dire, as fraud involving more than $10,000 is an aggravated felony and a crime involving moral turpitude, making non-citizens vulnerable to deportation.
At our law firm, we understand the gravity of the situation and are prepared to fiercely defend you against any allegations of fraud. Our team of criminal defense lawyers will gather all necessary information, including evidence the government has against you, to review whether you have a strong defense. We will work to negotiate a resolution that doesn’t involve formal criminal charges, and if charges have already been brought against you, we will aggressively defend you at trial.
Examples of PPP loan fraud include loan application fraud, loan stacking, fraudulent loan certification, using funds for ineligible purposes, and concealing or misrepresenting information during audit. These acts and omissions can result in charges such as making a false statement, bank fraud, and wire fraud, all of which carry significant penalties.
Don’t let PPP loan fraud allegations ruin your life and business. Contact our law firm immediately and let us use our knowledge and experience to fight for your rights and future.
Colorado Springs PPP and EIDL Loan Fraud Lawyers
The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan fraud is a federal crime that occurs when a business falsely obtains funds through the CARES Act. Designed to provide relief for small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the PPP loan program offers eligible companies up to $10 million to cover essential expenses such as payroll, rent, and utilities for eight weeks. However, those who cheat the Small Business Administration (SBA) out of this crucial stimulus money by providing false information or overvaluing securities face severe penalties, including potential prison time, fines, and repayment of the loan.
While the PPP loan program was intended to provide much-needed support for small businesses, the lack of proper controls and regulations has led to widespread fraud and abuse. The SBA’s Office of Inspector General has issued multiple reports detailing the vulnerability of the program to fraud, with approximately 60% of loans reviewed found to have “eligibility problems.”
Faced with PPP loan fraud charges, defendants may argue that they had no intent to defraud or that the SBA made a mistake in their application. However, it is crucial for business owners to keep accurate records of all communications, bank statements, and receipts to prove their innocence in the event of a false accusation.
The potential immigration consequences of PPP loan fraud cannot be overlooked. As a crime involving moral turpitude and fraud involving more than $10,000 is considered an aggravated felony, non-citizens convicted of CARES Act fraud may be at risk of deportation. It is essential for those facing criminal charges to consult with a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible to explore their options and potentially have the charges reduced or dismissed.
In short, the PPP loan program is a vital lifeline for small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, those who choose to cheat the system by committing fraud risk severe penalties, including potential prison time, fines, and deportation. Business owners must be vigilant and keep accurate records to protect themselves from false accusations and to avoid the severe consequences of PPP loan fraud.
The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan fraud is a grave offense that involves obtaining money through false pretenses through the CARES Act. As of April 2020, small businesses affected by COVID-19 and with fewer than 500 full-time employees were eligible to obtain up to $10 million to cover expenses such as payroll, mortgages, rent, and utilities for eight weeks. And the government would forgive the debt if the money went towards these “qualified expenses.”
Cheating the Small Business Administration (SBA) out of this stimulus money is a federal felony that carries potential prison time, fines, and repayment of the loan. It’s a federal crime under the Small Business Act, and the sentence depends on the specific offense. Common defenses for people facing PPP loan fraud charges are that either the defendant had no intent to defraud or the SBA made a mistake.
However, it’s essential to note that in most cases, federal criminal records are unsealable, and the immigration consequences of fraud involving more than $10,000 are severe. It’s an aggravated felony, and a crime involving moral turpitude. Therefore, non-citizens convicted of CARES Act fraud are vulnerable to deportation.
The Paycheck Protection Program was created as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which was signed into law on March 27, 2020. The PPP offered businesses up to $2 million in loans, with no interest or principal due for the first 12 months. The loans were guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and were to be used for payroll, rent, utilities and other essential expenses.
The program was immensely popular, with lenders flooded with applications as soon as the program opened, and with an initial $350 billion endowment, the PPP effectively ran out of funding within minutes. Congress authorized an additional $310 billion for the program one month later, but it was also quickly tapped out. With little regulation in place, accusations of fraud soon followed.
To date, the SBA’s Office of Inspector General has issued 11 reports detailing widespread fraud and abuse in the PPP loan program. The OIG has referred dozens of cases of suspected fraud to the Department of Justice for criminal prosecution.