louisiana ppp loan arrests

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. Crowther used it to buy a $700,000 dollar catamaran and a lavish lifestyle. Nearly a dozen of those people took out two loans. A borrower applied for a PPP loan from a lender or bank. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. 89 Arrests. Theyre not checking licenses. AGs Office announces more than 50 arrests connected to Paycheck Protection Program fraud, New proposed Psychiatric Facility could house 'dangerous' mentally ill patients in North Baton Rouge, Baton Rouge General offering free health checks. Investigators say those accused made false statements about things like how many people they employ, their average monthly revenue, and payroll figures. This table shows the top 5 industries in Louisiana by number of loans awarded, with average loan amounts and number of jobs reported. In less than six months, more than 50 people have been charged with allegedly committing fraud in connection with the program. Floods are going to become more common, so its vital to learn how to prepare, no matter where you live. EVERYthen charged approximately $3,500.00 once the loans were funded. Making false statements on your PPP application 2. Thu. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); All suspects are innocent until proven guilty. Staveley and Butziger claimed to have. U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. All rights reserved. Other Locations. According to the United States Department of Justice official website, Six individuals were charged in an indictment with fraudulently obtaining approximately $1.5 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans on behalf of five businesses based in Georgia and South Carolina. 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. We do not charge attorney fees unless you receive compensation and you are under no obligation after your initial consultation. STAGE 2 SECURITY LLC is a Subchapter S Corporation located at SOUTH JORDAN, UT with 29 employees. Mon, Dec 26, 2022 . The U.S. Department of Justice say that approximately $11.1 million in PPP loans were taken and the funds were then used to buy luxury vehicles, jewelry, and other personal items. In Louisiana, a federal grand jury recently indicted a Plaquemine woman named Lestreonia Rodrigue on fraud charges. 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 . In Louisiana, a federal grand jury recently indicted a Plaquemine woman named Lestreonia Rodrigue on fraud charges. Many people have lost their jobs indefinitely are are struggling to find new sources of income. Fort Miro Foods, Llc. U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. Speak with Dr. Oberheiden today for a free consultation at 888-680-1745. All totaled, in that city of 43,000 people lenders approved $1.3 million dollars just for barbershop owners. The office identified matched CHA program participants to those who received PPP loans and found 6,280 people (either heads of households or family members) had received them. That's almost 10% of the program's nearly $800 billion budget. Search Paycheck Protection Program Loan (PPP Loan) list with amount, business name, address, business type and Lender information in Louisiana. For more information on the Department of Justices response to the pandemic, please visithttps://www.justice.gov/coronavirus. I dont know why it is that that some people take advantage of a program like this in a time of crisis. Casey Crowther owned Target Roofing. 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. Monroe, LA: Monroe, LA. EVERY created all of the false and fraudulent invoices, bank statements, and Schedule Cs. Some content may be sourced from press releases or public information/records. The DOJ says this ill-gotten money was in many cases used to buy luxury personal items like cars, homes, vacation trips, and jewelry. All rights reserved. The individuals Every recruitedto prepare and submit the false PPP application was charged between $45.00 and $120.00. Please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus for more information on the Departments response to the pandemic. The Onder Law Firm is a St. Louis personal injury law firm handling serious injury and death claims across the country. (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. 1-14. Arlington . EVERY prepared and submitted false and fraudulent PPP sole proprietor loan applications via various online portals including, but not limited, to Blueacorn. The program worked like this. Many people have taken out these loans despite not actually qualifying for them. When an applicant in Louisiana makes false statements to obtain relief funding--from exaggerating the number of employees on payroll to applying for a loan on behalf of a nonexistent company--there may be grounds for a PPP loan fraud case in Louisiana. The PPP was developed to ease the pain of COVID-19 economic restraints on working Americans. NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today the indictment of SHARNAE EVERY ("EVERY"), age 27, of Houston, Texas, who was charged with one (1) count of Conspiracy to Commit Mail Fraud in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1349 and two (2) counts of Mail Fraud in violation of Title 18, United States [] Search. These individuals were allegedly part of a larger group that together have fraudulently obtained approximately $3.0 million in PPP loans. . 00:00. 440 Louisiana St #200, Houston, TX 77002 . Both the U.S. Attorneys Office and the Louisiana Attorney General have encouraged the community to report suspected fraud. 1. Follow this link for more information on the Department of Justices response to the pandemic. The Onder Law Firm has represented clients throughout the United States in pharmaceutical and medical device litigation such as Pradaxa, Lexapro and Yasmin/Yaz, where the firm's attorneys held significant leadership roles in the litigation, as well as Actos, Truvada, Risperdal and others. The PPP allows the interest and principal to be forgiven if businesses spend the proceeds on these expenses within a set time period and use at least a certain percentage of the loan towards payroll expenses., At time of Lakeisha has managed to raise $3500 back. Common PPP Loan Fraud Triggers 1. Its mission is the pursuit of justice, no matter how complex the case or strenuous the effort. The amounts varied from less than $2,000 to more than $20,000. 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. Peralta-Gutierrez was arrested last month, and a federal grand jury returned his indictment for wire fraud conspiracy Monday. Copyright 2020 WAFB. The DOJ says this ill-gotten money was in many cases used to buy luxury personal items like cars, homes, vacation trips, and jewelry. Investigators determined there were at least 110 PPP sole proprietor loan applications in and around the Thibodeaux, Louisiana area and they all had the same invoices and federal tax forms ("Schedule C") with the same business name and amounts. U.S. Imports and Bills of Lading for Bancroft Bag, Inc. All Other Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing, Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services, Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists, JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, Support Activities for Oil and Gas Operations, Construction and Mining (except Oil Well) Machinery and Equipment Merchant Wholesalers, Transportation Equipment and Supplies (except Motor Vehicle) Merchant Wholesalers, Oil and Gas Field Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing, Prefabricated Metal Building and Component Manufacturing, Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services, Third Party Administration of Insurance and Pension Funds, Other Chemical and Fertilizer Mineral Mining, Coastal and Great Lakes Freight Transportation, Hardwood Veneer and Plywood Manufacturing, Offices of Physicians (except Mental Health Specialists), All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services, Petroleum and Petroleum Products Merchant Wholesalers (except Bulk Stations and Terminals), Alumina Refining and Primary Aluminum Production, Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables, Specialty (except Psychiatric and Substance Abuse) Hospitals, Nursing Care Facilities (Skilled Nursing Facilities), Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly, Other Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing, Postlethwaite & Netterville (A Professional Accounting Corporation), Oil and Gas Pipeline and Related Structures Construction, All Other Miscellaneous Store Retailers (except Tobacco Stores), Petroleum Lubricating Oil and Grease Manufacturing, Southwest Louisiana Electric Membership Corporation, Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction, Waldemar S. Nelson And Company, Incorporated, Lessors of Residential Buildings and Dwellings, Advanced Corrosion Technologies & Training, LLC, Industrial Machinery and Equipment Merchant Wholesalers, Commercial and Institutional Building Construction, Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors, Anesthesiology Group Associates, Inc., A Professional Medical Corporation, Arkansas Elder Outreach Of Little Rock, Inc, Other Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment Rental and Leasing, Paper Bag and Coated and Treated Paper Manufacturing, Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Hospitals, General Freight Trucking, Long-Distance, Truckload, Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction, Surveying and Mapping (except Geophysical) Services, Catholic Charities Archdiocese Of New Orleans, Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools, Commercial Air, Rail, and Water Transportation Equipment Rental and Leasing, Freestanding Ambulatory Surgical and Emergency Centers, Offices of Mental Health Practitioners (except Physicians), Offices of All Other Miscellaneous Health Practitioners, Crescent City Surgical Centre Operating Co, LLC, Research and Development in Nanotechnology, Structural Steel and Precast Concrete Contractors. A man has been arrested in Louisiana suspected of multiple drug and weapon charges after a search of his vehicle revealed cocaine, meth, marijuana, and a stolen firearm. Wire fraud 2. New Orleans, Louisiana On September 9, 2022, United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced the indictment of Sharnae Every (Every), age 27, of Houston, Texas, who was charged with one count of Conspiracy to Commit Mail Fraud in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1349 and two counts of Mail Fraud in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1341. (WAFB) - The Paycheck Protection Program, known as PPP, provided a lifeline for millions of business owners when the pandemic was at its worst. The lender got to keep a fee based on the size of the loan. He is accused of using the PPP loan to buy "$85,000 in jewelry, including a Rolex Presidential watch, a diamond bracelet, a 5.73-carat diamond ring for himself, and to pay $40,000 for child support," within days of receiving the funds. The $20,000 is now due back to the government, with some possible jail time as well if shes not lucky. On March 2, 2021 the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas issued a news release reporting the arrest of Ms. Wiggins on bank fraud, making a false statement to a bank, and money laundering. The Onder Law Firm is a National Law Firm based in St. Louis, Missouri representing clients throughout the United States in national federal MDL products liability litigation. 500 E Front St Suite 160-71 Arlington, TX 76011 . The Department of Justice confirms they are looking into reports of PPP fraud across the nation. Per the False Claims Act, the government is entitled to threefold damages in each successful PPP loan fraud case. 817-859-8549. 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. To apply for the forgivable loan, an applicant simply had to submit an application to their bank along with evidence of payroll for the last year which generally included tax returns, payroll returns, and corporate documents. The Paycheck Protection Program saved millions of jobs. Shes 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 claims. The PPP offers billions of dollars in potentially forgivable loans to keep workers on the payroll, guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA). Joliet Police Department Detective James Kilgore said that police didn't find business licenses matching the addresses used on the PPP loans. The largest loan paid out was $20,833. . Filing a PPP loan fraud case is a powerful means for Louisiana citizens to bring tax dollar waste and abuse to light. Every advertised on Facebook using numerous aliases in order to recruit others to participate in the PPP scheme. The Department of Justice (DOJ) says as of Aug. 8, more than 5.2 million forgivable loans have been approved, at a total of more than $525 billion. Three women, who were employees of U.S. School Food And Nutrition Services Of New Orleans, Inc. Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities. All rights reserved. Federal investigators cannot comment on active investigations or give an estimate on how much fraud may have occurred through federal pandemic relief programs, but a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorneys Office of the Middle District of Louisiana confirms there were fraudulent applications submitted in Louisiana through several relief programs including the PPP. Bank fraud 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. Largest Database of Louisiana Mugshots. To me, its like looting after a hurricane. Warren Easton Charter High School Foundation, Inc. Commercial Printing (except Screen and Books), All Other Miscellaneous General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing. He is expected to be arraigned on . Amount; Monroe, LA. However, during that time period, the rate of crime dropped by 27% - - violent crime decreased by 11% during that time. The FBI and United States Department of Labor are investigating the matter and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Edward Warner. This case was brought in New Orleans, Louisiana. Maybe, maybe not all.. On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. New Orleans, Louisiana - On September 9, 2022, United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced the indictment of Sharnae Every ("Every"), age 27, of Houston, Texas, who was charged with one count of Conspiracy to Commit Mail Fraud in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1349 and two counts of Mail Fraud in violation of Title 18, United States Code . For more information on the Departments response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus. Rudolph Brooks, Jr., 45, was arrested earlier this month after allegedly faking tax returns and payroll forms to apply for the $1.5 million loan under the federal government's CARES act. protecting transportation workers and passengers from covid: gaps in safety, lessons learned, and next steps U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. What the speakership fight is really all about. Businesses must use PPP loan proceeds for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent and utilities. Sat. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Brian M. Klebba, Chief of the Financial Crimes Unit, and Assistant United States Attorney Edward Rivera, COVID-19 Fraud Coordinator. EVERY then charged approximately $3,500.00 once the loans were funded. Full-Service Restaurants . Advocates For Science And Mathematics Education, Inc. All Other Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation, Carbon and Graphite Product Manufacturing, Rubber and Plastics Hoses and Belting Manufacturing. The owner of this website may receive compensation for those links, ads, promotions, and other types of links. With more time, we might have been able to implement some preemptive fraud measures, but we knew there would be some fraud, said Kennedy. 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. 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. She either gave a portion of the funds to others or kept it for herself. According to todays indictment, EVERY created a fictitious business called Natural Hair Afro, LLC, Houma, LA 70360 and used this fictitious business name on nearly all of the fraudulent PPP loan applications. For more information on the Department of Justices response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus. EVERYfalsely certified that the applications and the information provided in the supporting documents were true and accurate when she electronically submitted the fraudulent PPP loan applications. 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. Robert De Niro-backed Nobu restaurants took more than a dozen PPP loans worth as much as $28 million . Both received a PPP loan for $20,832. Based on the data, between $5,589,989,154 and $10,528,439,154 have been loaned through the Payroll Protection Program to businesses in Louisiana. If someone defaults, or cant pay it back, the SBA will still reimburse the lender. In order for our firm to be considered your attorney there must be a signed agreement between the client and the firm. The PPP was developed to ease the pain of COVID-19 economic restraints on working Americans. Acts reported in a PPP loan fraud case in Louisiana may constitute wire fraud, bank fraud, money laundering, and other false claims. So far, six. Copyright 2021 WAFB. 104 Arrests. The SBA has very broad rules, very, very large leeway on what the lender had to request from the bar to get that guarantee secure, said the SBA Louisiana District Director Michael Ricks. The line is staffed 24/7. The case against Every began after the COVID-19 Pandemic Response Accountability Committee (PRAC) referred a possible fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program loan (PPP) to the FBI. The National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) is in Baton Rouge and reports can be filed here. A former Pizzeria owner was arrested yesterday for committing after securing Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan funds worth $660,000. Follow this link to report a typo or other issue. The DOJ says falsified tax records were submitted and in some cases, stolen personal information was also used in these attempts to defraud the PPP. The Cryptocurrency Investor (Texas - July 14) Joshua Thomas Argires of Houston was arrested on various fraud charges. Director for the Louisiana SBA District Office Michael Ricks said while that information may raise some red flags on the surface, he explained that not complying with an industrys licensing requirements does not necessarily disqualify someone from being eligible for a PPP loan. EVERY charged $45.00 to $120.00 from the individuals she recruited to prepare and submit the fraudulent PPP application. So now, he says agencies must go after anyone who might be taking money theyre not entitled to. You have to understand from the lenders perspective, really, theyre just looking at income. One of the actresses from Tyler Perry's "Madea Goes to Jail" has been charged with fraud by the U.S. Department of Justice. Former Louisiana Resident Indicted for Preparing Over 110 Fraudulent PPP Loan Applications Totaling Over $1.1 Million Dollars. Assistant United States Attorney Brian M. Klebba, Chief of the Financial Crimes Unit, and Assistant United States Attorney Edward Rivera, COVID-19 Fraud Coordinator, are prosecuting this case. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. BATON ROUGE, La. "The PPP was developed to ease the pain of COVID-19 economic restraints on working Americans. The cases involve attempts to steal a total of more than $175 million from the program, with actual losses to the federal government totaling more than $70 million, the DOJ reports. Richard Ayvazyan and Marietta Terabelian from LA spent the money on a $3.25-million Mediterranean-style villa, gold coins, diamond . 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. A former GOP candidate for the New Mexico legislature was arrested Monday, accused of conspiring with and paying four men to shoot at the homes of four elected officials, appearing to target . EVERYprimarily used Cash App to receive the initial payments. My feeling is that despite the fraud, the program helped far, far, far more of my people than it hurt, said Kennedy. EVERY advertised under various aliases on Facebook to recruit individuals to obtain money from the PPP program. According to the indictment, Every established a fictional company called Natural Hair Afro, LLC, Houma, LA 70360 and used this fictitious company name on nearly all of the fraudulent PPP loan applications. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Under the PPP program, the loans don't have to be repaid as long as the money is used for paying employees . Secret Service said there are currently 900 active criminal investigations into pandemic fraud. and has been seen on Forbes, CNBC and Fox Business. Every single one of them produced and filed bogus and fraudulent PPP sole proprietor loan applications through numerous online portals, including but not limited to Blueacorn. In her caption she says I got 20k ppp loan now the feds after me plz help I cant do jail!! Another woman is currently seeking help on GoFundMe for the same reason. Mr. Santemore's pleaded guilty on April 27, 2022, and was sentenced on July 25, 2022 but the terms of his sentence are under seal. According to the indictment, Tynea Gray of Donaldsonville and Prairieville between June 2020 and Oct. 2021, Gray submitted unemployment claims in California in her name and in the names of others. The Department of Justice (DOJ) says as of Aug. 8, more than 5.2 million forgivable loans have been approved, at a total of more than $525 billion. 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. Calcasieu Parish News Calcasieu.info is not associated with any local governments or authorities. 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). dartmouth football coach salary, iglesia de la sagrada luz en roma, risk of rain 2 clear skies achievement, syracuse women's lacrosse camp 2022, prelim, midterm finals grading system, royal caribbean charged me twice, tulsa police helicopter activity, jones beach boardwalk food, dee jay daniels now, overriding sutures newborn, how to change background on slack video call, hair dye smells like rotten eggs, alisha and mckenzie newton, death and rebirth archetype examples, universal credit underpayment forum,

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