DOJ aggressively prosecuting individuals involved in COVID-relief fraud

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uBiome founders face fraud charges

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) in partnership with different law enforcement and other regulatory agencies remains active and aggressive in detecting, investigating individuals and entities involved in a COVID-relief fraud scheme.

Since the start of the pandemic, state and federal law enforcement and regulatory agencies have already sued a number of individuals and businesses who committed unlawful activities or practices to enrich themselves.

In March 2020, Congress enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to provide emergency financial assistance to millions of American families and businesses suffering due to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic. The law authorized up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for payroll, mortgage interest, rent/lease, and utilities, through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The Congress authorized up to $310 billion in additional PPP funding in April.

Five individuals charged for fraudulently obtaining over $4 million in PPP loans

Last Thursday, the Justice Department announced that a grand jury charged five individuals engaged in COVID-19 relief fraud. The defendants were identified as Darrel Thomas, Andree Lee Gaines, and Carla Jackson, residents of Georgia; Kahlil Gibran Green, a resident of Ohio; and Bern Benoit, a resident of California,