Federal Baltimore Ppp And Eidl Loan Fraud Lawyers
Federal Baltimore PPP and EIDL Loan Fraud Lawyers
The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL)
Are you facing accusations of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) fraud?
These were government relief programs meant to help businesses struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic. The PPP loans provided were meant to help small businesses keep their workers employed. As long as the money was used for approved expenses like payroll, rent, and utilities – the loans were meant to be forgiven; essentially PPP loans became grants.
The EIDL loan program however offered low-interest loans to cover operating expenses and working capital for small businesses and non-profits impacted by the pandemic. Both of these amazing programs were lifelines for many businesses that were potentially going to be shut down in the chaos of 2020. Many people are now being investigated for alleged fraud. If you think you’re being investigated, or will be investigated, then we can help you.
PPP and EIDL Fraud Lawyers
These relief funds were meant to keep businesses afloat, and employees kept on the payroll; during an unprecedented crisis.
Common forms of PPP and EIDL fraud included:
- Lying on your Applications – Providing fake info about employee numbers, payroll costs, revenues etc. to get bigger loans
- Misusing Funds – Using the money for unapproved things like buying luxury items or paying off old debts
- Identity Theft – Stealing identities to apply for multiple loans under different business names
- Fake Businesses – Creating shell companies that didn’t actually operate to score relief funds
The Consequences of PPP/EIDL Fraud Are No Joke
If you got caught misusing these relief funds, you could face a wide array of potential criminal charges. We’re talking federal charges that can land you some serious prison time and fines. The main laws used to prosecute PPP/EIDL fraud include, but are not limited to:
- Bank Fraud
- Wire Fraud
- Money Laundering
- Making False Statements
- Theft of Government Funds
Without mincing words – the penalties are no joke. For example, bank fraud carries up to 30 years in federal prison and massive fines. Money laundering? That’s up to 20 years behind bars. In addition, it’s safe to say the government will try to get back any funds you fraudulently obtained through asset seizure and forfeiture. This means you can lose assets like your house, cars, bank accounts. In situations like this, hiring the best PPP loan fraud lawyer is necessary.
Why Hire a PPP/EIDL Fraud Lawyer?
If you broke the rules, they’re coming for you hard. That’s why you absolutely need an experienced federal criminal defense attorney in your corner if you’re being investigated or charged with PPP/EIDL fraud. These are extremely complex cases, and because of that you need a lawyer who:
- Understands all the nuances of federal fraud laws and COVID-relief programs
- Has handled high-stakes white-collar cases against aggressive federal prosecutors
- Can navigate the complicated procedures of the federal court system
- Knows how to create a strong defense strategy for your specific situation
How Can a PPP/EIDL Fraud Lawyer Help You?
An experienced PPP/EIDL fraud attorney can make a huge difference in how your case plays out. Here are some major ways an experienced PPP loan fraud criminal defense attorney can help:
Intervene Early and Mitigate Damage
If you get a target letter, or some other indicator of an investigation before charges are filed, your criminal defense attorney can proactively reach out to federal agents and prosecutors. Sometimes its possible to resolve criminal issues informally or at least position you for more favorable charging decisions.
Analyze the Evidence and Poke Holes
The PPP Loan fraud attorneys at Spodek Law Group will comb through all the evidence against you – bank records, emails, witness statements etc. We will look for weaknesses, contradictions and constitutional violations that can be exploited.
Craft a Robust Defense Strategy
There are many potential defenses for PPP/EIDL fraud. For example, lack of criminal intent, entrapment, prosecutorial misconduct and more. Our attorneys will build the strongest possible defense using all available angles.
Leverage Connections and Negotiate
Our federal lawyers have relationships with prosecutors and insight into their strategies. They can use this to potentially get charges reduced or dismissed through strategic negotiations.
Represent You at Trial
If your case goes to trial, you want a litigator who can understand, and dismantle, the government’s case and fight hard to secure an acquittal or minimal jail time.
The bottom line is having the right legal representation can mean the difference between a slap on the wrist and a decades-long prison sentence. Don’t roll the dice with your future.
How to Choose the Best PPP/EIDL Fraud Lawyer
With so much at stake, you can’t just hire the first federal criminal defense lawyer you come across. You need to do your homework and find an attorney with the right credentials and experience.Here are some tips for choosing a top-notch PPP/EIDL fraud lawyer:
Focus on Federal Courtroom Experience
State court is totally different than the federal system. You want an attorney who has extensive experience handling complex fraud cases specifically in federal courts.
Check Their Track Record
Review the lawyer’s bio and case results. Have they successfully defended clients against similar charges? Our PPP loan fraud lawyers have experience handling complex cases nationwide.
Look for Specializations
Ideally, you want a lawyer who specializes in areas like white-collar crime, federal fraud, and COVID-relief programs. This focused expertise is invaluable, especially when you’re facing a wide array of federal charges. Another thing to consider is whether the firm has resources or not. Many firms do not have the staff, or financial backing, to craft a strong criminal defense. Another thing to consider is the online reviews of the law firm you’re hiring. It’s important they have credibility, and 5 star reviews.
If you’re ready to get started, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with our PPP loan fraud attorneys. These cases are serious, and you need the best possible PPP loan fraud attorney to help you.
Possible Defenses for PPP and EIDL Fraud Cases
There’s a number of potential defenses you can take, when hiring an experienced criminal attorney. Here are some potential defenses to PPP fraud.
Lack of criminal intent: For many fraud charges, the government has to prove you knowingly and intentionally broke the law. If you genuinely misunderstood the rules or made careless mistakes, that could remove the criminal intent component.
Entrapment: If you were induced or coerced into committing a crime by a federal agent, that could result in a legal defense known as entrapment – a solid defense against charges.
Prosecutorial Misconduct: Prosecutors have to play by the rules too. If they violate your constitutional rights or engage in other misconduct, our criminal attorneys can get evidence suppressed or the case dismissed.
Advice of Counsel Defense: Did you rely on guidance from a tax professional, lawyer or other expert when applying for PPP/EIDL funds? If so, you may be able to argue you had no malicious intent and you were simply given bad advice.
Constitutional Violations: The government can’t just trample all over your 4th, 5th and 6th Amendment rights during their investigation. Our attorneys can challenge unconstitutional actions.There are also more defenses related to specific charges like materiality requirements for false statements, jurisdictional issues for wire fraud and more.
Bottom line: our experienced PPP and EIDL loan fraud lawyers will look at every possible avenue to destroy the government’s case, and position you for the best possible outcome.