The PPP offers billions of dollars in potentially forgivable loans to keep workers on the payroll, guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA). However, both Kennedy and Ricks say the good the program did far outweigh any possible fraud. Louisiana PPP loan fraud cases may be initiated by employees of banks who disperse PPP funds in Louisiana, employees of companies who have received CARES Act aid in Louisiana, or any other individual who has inside information on a PPP loan fraud case originating in Louisiana. Copyright 2022 PPP Directory. Sun. (WAFB) - Since the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) launched to help businesses pay their employees to prevent great losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some people have. A judges gavel is shown in a file photo. She forged a bank statement, false tax documents, and made misrepresentations in her PPP applications. The movie star joins several other high-profile people among 19 people accused in federal indictments of cheating the government out of millions in schemes that all originated in Georgia. To date, authorities have recovered approximately $1,195,784.98 of the stolen money., They also elaborated on how the loan works. Richard Ayvazyan and Marietta Terabelian from LA spent the money on a $3.25-million Mediterranean-style villa, gold coins, diamond . (WAFB) - Since the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) launched to help businesses pay their employees to prevent great losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some people have of course tried to exploit the program and defraud the federal government of money. These individuals were allegedly part of a larger group that together have fraudulently obtained approximately $3.0 million in PPP loans. In Louisiana, a federal grand jury . The Paycheck Protection Program saved millions of jobs. Complaints can also be filed online here. When she electronically filed the fake PPP loan applications, she falsely declared that the applications and information given in the accompanying documents were authentic and accurate. All totaled, in that city of 43,000 people lenders approved $1.3 million dollars just for barbershop owners. 89 Arrests. 104 Arrests. All rights reserved. Some pages on this website may contain affiliate links, ads, promotions, or other types of links to other websites, businesses, or products. The Veterans Administration, Office of the Inspector General, is an active member of the PRAC Fraud Task Force. Title 18, United States Code, Section 1349, Title 18, United States Code, Section 1341, Follow this link for more information on the Department of Justices response to the pandemic, Louisiana Man Dies in Single-Vessel Boating Incident in Lake Pontchartrain, LDWF Investigating Cause, 38-Year-Old Louisiana Man Arrested Suspected of Possession of Drugs, Stolen Firearm, and Other Crimes, Louisiana Man Arrested Suspected of Swerving and Causing a Crash that Seriously Injured Another Person, Content, DMCA Claims and other Copyright Requests. The Department of Justice, and in particular my office here in the Middle District of Louisiana, is committed to investigating and prosecuting those who abuse the system for personal gain and will use every resource at our disposal to protect those federal dollars and the businesses they are intended to help. She was able to get names, birth dates, and social security numbers of others, and submitted fraudulent claims for unemployment benefits in their names, with or without their knowledge or consent. This directory is composed. Copyright 2020 WAFB. Baton Rouge . If you are privy to inside information on PPP loan fraud in Louisiana, you may be entitled to damages. Gray was able to get over $550,000 in prepaid debit cards in her mailbox, as well as $20,833 to be deposited into her bank account, which she was not entitled to, officials say. PPP Loan Fraud Information for Your City: PPP Loan Fraud Information for Your State: Who Can File a PPP Loan Fraud Case in Louisiana. Los Angeles Man Arrested for $27 Million PPP Fraud Scheme A California man was arrested today in Los Angeles on criminal charges related to his alleged bank fraud, false statements in a loan application and money laundering arising from the submission of fraudulent applications for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds. Loan Amount: $1-2 million: Business Address: 478 S. JOHNSTON STREET, 6TH DLOOR: Jobs Retained: 202: City, State Zip: NEW ORLEANS, LA 70112: Date Approved: 2020-04-28: Business Type: Corporation: NAICS Code: 621112: Race or Ethnicity: Unanswered: NAICS Description: Offices of Physicians, Mental Health Specialists: Gender: Male Owned: NAICS Category: Health Care and Social Assistance: Veteran FLORENCE, S.C. . ThePaycheck Protection Programprovides small businesses with funds to pay up to 8 weeks ofpayrollcosts including benefits. The Department of Justice says in Feb. 2021, Gray created a scheme to defraud a lender and the United States, through the Small Business Administration, by filing false applications for PPP funds. The individuals Every recruitedto prepare and submit the false PPP application was charged between $45.00 and $120.00. The amounts varied from less than $2,000 to more than $20,000. Environmental Safety And Health Consulting Services, Inc. Environmental Specialties International, Inc. Expeditors & Production Services Co. Inc. Family Worship Center Church, Inc. Dba J Immy Swaggart Ministries, Other Services (except Public Administration), Franciscan Missionaries Of Our Lady University, Franklin Parish Hospital Service District#1, Galloway, Johnson, Thompkins, Burr, Smith, Aplc. The FBI and United States Department of Labor are investigating the matter and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Edward Warner. During round 1 of the paycheck protection program, STAGE 2 SECURITY LLC requested a PPP loan for 460100 USD. Prosecutors said the. Florida man buys $4.9M mansion using funds from PPP loan scheme, Attorney's Office says She was arrested and charged with child neglect with great bodily harm, tampering with a witness and . 66 Arrests. If approved, the SBA pays the lender back using federal funds. The Justice Department has brought criminal charges against at least 209 individuals in 119 cases related to Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) fraud since banks and other lenders began processing loan applications on behalf of the Small Business Administration on April 3, 2020. 00:00. She's accused of making up fake businesses to collect more than $20,000 through. For one woman this could potential result in jail time. He'll be sentenced next month and faces 40. He is expected to be arraigned on . Louisiana whistleblowers in successful PPP loan fraud cases are compensated for their efforts and have the satisfaction of exposing fraud and abuse. Using that public data, the 9 News Investigators took a close look at PPP loans given out in Louisiana. Other Locations. Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can contact the Department of Justices National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or submit a complaint using the NCDF Web Complaint Form by following this link. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services, Oil and Gas Field Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing, JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, Coastal and Great Lakes Freight Transportation, Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly, Waldemar S. Nelson And Company, Incorporated, Support Activities for Oil and Gas Operations, Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services, Catholic Charities Archdiocese Of New Orleans, Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools, Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors, Galloway, Johnson, Thompkins, Burr, Smith, Aplc, Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors, Roofing, Siding, and Insulation Material Merchant Wholesalers. The Onder Law Firm won $197 million in three talcum powder ovarian cancer lawsuits in St. Louis in 2016 and other law firms throughout the nation often seek its experience and expertise on complex litigation. Louisiana crime statistics. All Data Obtained From the SBA. Full-Service Restaurants . In April, Congress authorized more than $300 billion in additional PPP funding. If convicted,EVERYfaces a maximum penalty of twenty (20) years, followed by a term of supervised release for up to three (3) years, a fine up to $250,000.00, or twice the gross gain to the defendant, or twice the gross loss to any victim, and a $100.00 mandatory special assessment fee, per count. If convicted, Every risks a maximum sentence of twenty years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000.00, or twice the gross gain to the defendant, or twice the gross loss to any victim, and a $100.00 obligatory special assessment charge, per count. Through financial institutions, the Secret Service said it has been able to reverse some of the payouts. Lenders approved that amount for eight people, seven of whom got checks. Investigators say those accused made false statements about things like how many people they employ, their average monthly revenue, and payroll figures. OnderLaw, LLC - PPP Loan Fraud Whistleblower The Veterans Administration, Office of the Inspector General, is an active member of the PRAC Fraud Task Force. Police in Illinois arrested 15 people after they. Barbershops were one of the most common businesses to apply. Louisiana has a total of 217,333 businesses that received Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans from the Small Business Administration. Age. Heatmap of PPP Loans by Zip Code in New Orleans, LA, Number of Loans Issued by Date in New Orleans, LA, Summary of PPP Loans for all Nearby Cities, Summary of PPP Loans by Zip Code within New Orleans, LA. 817-859-8549. The United States Attorneys Office would also like to acknowledge the assistance of the Veterans Administration, Office of the Inspector General; United States Department of Labor, Office of the Inspector General; United States Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations; and the United States Secret Services Cyber Fraud Task Force, consisting of the Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Office, Lafourche Parish Sheriffs Office, Thibodeaux Police Department, and the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation with this matter. Filing a PPP loan fraud case against your Louisiana employer or another entity in Louisiana is an act of moral courage that can bring flagrant fraud and waste in check. BATON ROUGE, La. The Small Business Administration has released a list of businesses that have received emergency pandemic loans.. Wire fraud 2. According to the SBA, lenders are responsible for vetting applications and making sure the applicant is telling the truth in whatever way they see fit. EVERYadvertised under various aliases on Facebook to recruit individuals to obtain money from the PPP program. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Louisiana state income tax filing begins Monday, Jan. 23, Detectives seek assistance after gunfire damages vehicles in Boutte, UPDATED: I-55, NB and SB, from I-10 Interchange to I-55 Frontage Road near Ponchatoula (Exit 22) St. John and Tangipahoa Parishes Roadwork (tree, Westwego Woman Charged with Theft of Government Funds, Federal Grand Jury Indicts Thibodaux Man for Drug Trafficking Offense. Both the U.S. Attorneys Office and the Louisiana Attorney General have encouraged the community to report suspected fraud. Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., left, and Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn., right, speaks with Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., in the House chamber as the House . The Act originally authorized up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), and Congress later authorized $321 billion in additional PPP funding. . She's accused of making up fake businesses to collect more than $20,000 through a PPP loan and another $500,000 in prepaid debit cards through unemployment . 103 Arrests. As far as the state of Louisiana is concerned, there is no requirement that a sole proprietor have a specific license at the state, said Ricks. Fort Miro Foods, Llc. For more information on the Department of Justices response to the pandemic, please visithttps://www.justice.gov/coronavirus. Gray also submitted claims for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) benefits in the names of false businesses and based on false business profits and losses. Federal laws such as the Fair Claims Act and similar state laws provide . However, during that time period, the rate of crime dropped by 27% - - violent crime decreased by 11% during that time. The accident, injury, personal injury, and/or other legal information offered herein by The Onder Law firm, is not formal legal advice, nor is it the formation of an attorney client relationship. EVERYprimarily used Cash App to receive the initial payments. Every one of the phony and fraudulent invoices, bank statements, and Schedule Cs was fabricated by them. 713-597-3388. Congress passed the CARES Act on March 29, 2020 which created a $349 billion dollar program of forgivable loans called the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). If youre going to steal money, finite resources from people who need them, then, by God, were going to prosecute you.. The rest was spent on personal purchases. 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