YOU MAY HAVE SEEN TODD SPODEK ON THE NETFLIX SHOW INVENTING ANNA
When you’re facing a federal issue, you need an attorney whose going to be available 24/7 to help you get the results and outcome you need. The value of working with the Spodek Law Group is that we treat each and every client like a member of our family.
Oklahoma City PPP and EIDL Loan Fraud Lawyers
As the nation grapples with the ongoing economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, small businesses have been hit particularly hard. In an effort to provide a lifeline to these struggling companies, the federal government created the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which offered forgivable loans to help businesses keep their doors open and their employees on the payroll. Unfortunately, with any large-scale government program, there is always the potential for fraud. Our federal criminal defense attorneys have seen federal prosecutors aggressively bringing criminal charges for a wide variety of conduct related to the PPP.
One type of PPP fraud that has been particularly egregious is PPP Application Fraud. The CARES Act, which created the PPP, required businesses that applied for a loan to provide accurate and truthful information on the application. This included information about the number of employees working for the company, accurate employee payroll numbers, and salary and revenue numbers for the company and its employees. Providing false information as part of a loan application could result in an investigation or criminal charges.
Another area of PPP fraud that has caught the attention of federal prosecutors is Fraudulent Use of PPP Loan Funds. The PPP provided limits on the use of the funds from the PPP loans, with the funds only supposed to be used for specific expenses, such as paying for interest and rent under current leases, paying a company’s payroll expenses, paying insurance premiums, and paying for utility costs. If the funds were used for personal expenses or luxury items rather than legitimate business expenses, those expenditures could attract the attention of federal prosecutors.
Yet another area of PPP fraud that has come to light is Fraud in the Loan Forgiveness Certification Process. The PPP allowed for the complete forgiveness of many of the loans provided that certain requirements were met. However, providing false information in connection with a forgiveness application could lead to criminal charges. Companies that sought forgiveness of the loans had to comply with the terms of the program and prove that they were in fact eligible for forgiveness.
If you are looking for a lawyer that listens, is aggressive where needed, and holds his word above all else, Todd is the best pick. I had hired multiple attorneys prior to hiring the Spodek Group for a white collar case. The first thing that stood out to me was the cost, as anyone going through the process and dealing with the system, money was tight at that time - especially after hiring and firing multiple lawyers. The cost was not as high as others which was definitely a plus. Todd's intake process was also unlike other attorneys. He took the time to actually listen. He cared. He was trying to put himself in my shoes while I was explaining the situation to him and he really took the time to understand the whole situation. Other lawyers will give you 15 mins and send you a retainer agreement. Not Todd, I think he spent almost two hours with me as I was explaining everything.Not only was he great during the onboarding process, he was supportive and very informative through the entire plea process and eventually sentencing. After hiring him, I asked if I should hire a prison consultant, he told me to save my money as he would do everything they would. He was right and held up to his word. Later on I would hear from others that went with the prison consultants that they were a waste of money - I am glad I listened to Todd!When it came time for sentencing, two days prior to sentencing, the prosecutor tried increasing my proposed prison time by almost double - apparently a normal move. Todd and his team worked with me non-stop through the weekend prior to sentencing to ensure that I was not given additional prison time. Again, he took the time to listen and came up with a strategy to explain the case with great detail.Unfortunately, I did plead guilty as that was my best option. Todd and his whole team wrote up nearly 300 pages of a summary of what happened and why I should not be given prison time. If I breakdown the amount I spent with Todd versus the amount of work that I saw being done, I am shocked I was not charged four times as much. The other benefit was, a lot of criminal defense lawyers were just a single attorney with a paralegal or two. Todd had a team of people that I dealt with (5-7 people that I interacted with), but he was ALWAYS accessible. It would never take him more than an hour to reply unless he was in court.I was sentenced to prison and I was emotionally distraught. Todd and his team did whatever they could even after sentencing to make sure I was alright. He personally stayed in touch with my family to ensure I was doing alright and offered support to them. Most lawyers would consider the job complete at sentencing, not Todd.After prison, Todd still spent time with me to make sure I was on the right track and avoiding any potential risks in the future. He has also been giving advice on how to navigate probation etc and has not been looking at the clock for billing.Although I wish I had never been arrested in the first place, I am glad I had Todd and his team in my corner. Without them I likely would have had to spend a lot more time in prison than I did.Thank you, Todd, and the entire Spodek Law team, for helping turn what was a nightmare into a manageable situation!
I am immensely grateful to the entire team at Spodek Law Group for their unwavering dedication and exceptional expertise throughout my case. From our initial consultation to the final resolution, their professionalism and tireless advocacy made all the difference. Their strategic approach and attention to detail instilled confidence in me every step of the way.Thanks to their hard work and commitment, we achieved a truly favorable outcome that exceeded my expectations. Not only did they navigate the complexities of my case with precision, but they also provided invaluable support and guidance during what was undoubtedly a challenging time. I cannot recommend Spodek Law Group highly enough, especially attorneys Todd Spodek and Claire Banks; they are beacons of excellence in the legal profession.YSP.
Todd, Ralph and Alex are amazing. Helped my husband get from a double digit number with multiple charges to a single digit, by the time I blink he will be out. They very professional and help with all your needs. They dealt with my anxiety and worry very well and they understand that your family member needs to get home as soon as possible.
Believe every single review here about Alex Z!! From our initial consultation, it was evident that Alex possessed a profound understanding of criminal law and a fierce dedication to his clients rights. Throughout the entirety of my case, Alex exhibited unparalleled professionalism and unwavering commitment. What sets Alex apart is not only his legal expertise but also his genuine compassion for his clients. He took the time to thoroughly explain my case, alleviating any concerns I had along the way. His exact words were “I’m not worried about it”. His unwavering support and guidance were invaluable throughout the entire process. I am immensely grateful for Alex's exceptional legal representation and wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone in need of a skilled criminal defense attorney. Alex Z is not just a lawyer; he is a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of the legal system. If you find yourself in need of a dedicated and competent legal advocate, look no further than Alex Z.
I don’t know where to start, I can write a novel about this firm, but one thing I will say is that having my best interest was their main priority since the beginning of my case which was back in Winter 2019. Miss Claire Banks, one of the best Attorneys in the firm represented me very well and was very professional, respectful, and truthful. Not once did she leave me in the dark, in fact she presented all options and routes that could possibly be considered for my case and she reinsured me that no matter what I decided to do, her and the team will have my back and that’s exactly what happened. Not only will I be liberated from this case, also, I will enjoy my freedom and continue to be a mother to my first born son and will have no restrictions with accomplishing my goals in life. Now that’s what I call victory!! I thank the Lord, My mother, Claire, and the Spodek team for standing by me and fighting with me. Words can’t describe how grateful I am to have the opportunity to work with this team. I’m very satisfied, very pleased with their performance, their hard work, and their diligence.Thank you team!
I recently had Spodek Law Group represent me for a legal matter in NYC and I am thoroughly impressed with their services.Alex Zhik secured the best possible outcome for my case.It was a seamless journey from the initial consultation to the resolution of my legal matter. From the moment I spoke to Todd about my case, his enthusiasm to help was evident, setting a positive tone for the entire experience. The efficiency and professionalism displayed by the team is commendable.A particularly noteworthy aspect of their service is their user-friendly portal to upload your documents/evidence. This not only simplified the process, but showcases their commitment to streamline the client experience.Lastly, in an industry where legal fees can often be a concern, I found their pricing to be very reasonable, making needing legal assistance feel accessible and stress-free.I am grateful for their support and wouldn't hesitate to turn to them again in the future.
Finally, Obtaining Multiple PPP Loans From Different Lenders is another area where some companies have taken advantage of the program. The PPP allowed for up to two loans for some companies. Companies that applied for more than one loan with multiple lenders for which they were not eligible could be investigated by the government and criminally charged.
It is important to note that the above-mentioned types of PPP fraud are only a few examples and the federal government is actively investigating and prosecuting all forms of PPP fraud. If you or your business are under investigation or have been charged with PPP fraud, it is crucial that you seek the advice of a criminal defense attorney immediately. The stakes are high, and the consequences of a conviction can be severe.
As our experienced federal criminal defense attorneys know all too well, federal prosecutors have been zealously pursuing criminal charges for a wide range of conduct related to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). From application fraud to fraudulent use of loan funds, the government is leaving no stone unturned in its efforts to root out PPP fraud.
One of the most prevalent forms of PPP fraud is application fraud. The CARES Act, which established the PPP, required businesses to provide accurate and truthful information on their loan applications. Failure to do so could result in criminal charges. This is particularly true for businesses that provided false information about the number of employees they had, overstated employee payroll numbers, or falsely categorized employees as independent contractors in order to qualify for the loan. Additionally, providing false salary and revenue numbers for the company or its employees, or using someone else’s information to apply for a loan, could also result in criminal charges.
Another area of concern for the government is fraudulent use of PPP loan funds. The CARES Act placed strict limits on how PPP funds could be used, such as paying for rent, payroll expenses, insurance premiums, and utility costs. Using the funds for other purposes, or using them for personal expenses or luxury items, could result in the funds not being eligible for loan forgiveness and attract the attention of federal prosecutors.
Fraud in the loan forgiveness certification process is yet another area of concern. To be eligible for loan forgiveness, borrowers had to certify that the loan was needed due to economic uncertainty related to the pandemic, that the funds were used for intended purposes such as retaining employees or paying rent, leases, or utility bills, and that the documents and information submitted were accurate and truthful. Providing false information in connection with a forgiveness application, or submitting fraudulent or inaccurate documents, could lead to criminal charges.
Finally, obtaining multiple PPP loans from different lenders is another area of concern. While the PPP allowed for up to two loans for some companies, businesses that applied for more than one loan with multiple lenders for which they were not eligible could be investigated by the government and criminally charged. Any business that borrowed from more than one lender should contact a criminal defense attorney immediately.