A Florida man pleaded guilty for fraudulently obtaining approximately $3.9 million in Paycheck Protection Program loans and using those funds, in part, to purchase a $318,000 Lamborghini sports car for himself. Federal investigators linked the sports car to Hines after he was involved in a hit and run on July 11, the Miami Herald reported. […]
Tag: Small Business Administration
Man charged with $1.9 million COVID-relief fraud after seeking forgivable loans
A Nevada man was charged in an indictment Wednesday for his alleged participation in a scheme to defraud multiple financial institutions by filing bank loan applications that fraudulently sought more than $1.9 million dollars in forgivable loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Nicholas L. […]
Man pleads guilty to obtaining over $700,000 in COVID-19 relief using fraud scheme
A Washington man pleaded guilty today to perpetrating a scheme to fraudulently obtain COVID-19 relief guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Nicholas L. McQuaid, Acting Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s […]
Arkansas project manager sentenced to two years in prison in connection with COVID-19 relief fraud
A project manager employed by a major retailer was sentenced to 24 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for fraudulently seeking more than $8 million in forgivable loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian C. […]
State of Missouri recognizes National Small Business Week
This week, the state of Missouri joins many others across the nation in recognizing National Small Business Week. Small businesses have a major impact on Missouri’s economy, as more than 45 percent of employed Missourians receive a paycheck from working at a small business. In 2019, Missouri’s small businesses created 13,855 net new jobs. More […]
Seven charged in connection with COVID-relief fraud scheme involving at least 80 fraudulent loan applications
Seven individuals across two states were charged in an indictment unsealed for their alleged participation in a scheme to obtain approximately $16 million in forgivable Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Amir Aqeel, 52, and Pardeep Basra, 51, both of […]
‘Won’t be able to survive’: Childcare centers serving low-income Missourians face closure
(Missouri Independent) – Cortaiga Collins doesn’t know how much longer her childcare center will survive. Only about a dozen children have been attending regularly amid the pandemic. Under normal circumstances, she used to serve as many as 100. She’s already had to reduce the hours that Good Shepherd Preschool and Infant/Toddler Center in St. Louis […]
Former Missouri business owner sentenced to 8-years in prison without parole for $30 million fraud schemes
A former Missouri business owner was sentenced in federal court for a series of fraud schemes totaling more than $30 million. “This white-collar thief maintained his lavish lifestyle by stealing millions of dollars from his clients, partners, and lenders to build expensive homes, buy luxurious cars, and take numerous vacations,” said U.S. Attorney Tim Garrison. […]
Low-interest loans available through Small Business Administration in counties impacted by flooding
Low-interest disaster loans are available through the Small Business Administration for eligible persons and small businesses in five northwest Missouri counties impacted by flooding a month ago. The SBA reports loans are available to homeowners, renters, and small businesses in Andrew, Buchanan, Clinton, DeKalb, and Platte Counties. This includes those who were impacted by the […]
Are postal service delays hampering small business?
Operational changes intended to help the financially troubled U.S. Postal Service save money aren’t going over well with some small-business owners in Missouri and other states. Recent modifications, including the end of overtime for workers, have led to numerous reports of delays, both in personal and commercial mail and package delivery. John McHugh, chairman of […]
Audio: Missouri Congressman Sam Graves says CARES Act has helped rural hospitals in northern Missouri
A congressman who represents northern Missouri says the federal CARES Act has helped rural hospitals in his district. Tarkio Congressman Sam Graves voted for the bipartisan legislation this spring, which included 75-billion dollars for personal protective equipment for health care employees. Graves who represents 36 counties across northern Missouri, says there is a […]
Small Business Administration opens Economic Injury Disaster Loan applications
The Small Business Administration on Tuesday opened up Economic Injury Disaster Loan applications on a limited basis specifically to agricultural businesses. The application is available at www.SBA.gov/Disaster. At this time, only agricultural business applications will be accepted due to limitations in funding availability and the unprecedented number of applications already received. Agricultural businesses include those […]