Jeremy Huss

The Department of Justice has joined forces with other federal agencies like the FBI and IRS to aggressively investigate allegations of PPP loan fraud and pursue criminal charges for bank fraud, wire fraud and other federal crimes. In response to concerns about the risk of loan fraud involving the Paycheck Protection Program, established under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the federal government has vowed to root out abuse and bring alleged offenders to justice, which may be cause for concern for many recipients of PPP loans. At Federal Huss Law, Attorney Jeremy Huss and his team of legal experts are prepared to stand up against the federal government and defend the rights of those accused of defrauding the Paycheck Protection Program. Allegations of PPP loan fraud can lead to substantial fines and long-term imprisonment if the government pursues criminal charges, which it has promised to do. If you received a loan through the Paycheck Protection Program and you have questions about loan compliance, or if you have been arrested by federal agents on suspicion of PPP loan fraud, do not hesitate to consult our knowledgeable PPP fraud attorneys for legal help.

Skilled PPP Loan Fraud Defense Attorneys

Federal criminal cases differ a great deal from state charges and if you are facing charges for a federal offense, you want a knowledgeable federal criminal defense attorney in your corner. Federal prosecutors tend to be more aggressive than state prosecutors, the federal criminal process is more complicated, and the penalties are generally far more severe than those in state cases. Recently, the federal government has made it a priority to investigate, indict and prosecute white collar crimes like fraud, especially now, in response to the economic fallout stemming from the ongoing COVID-19 crisis and the suspected abuses of the Paycheck Protection Program. If you have been accused of committing fraud in connection with the Paycheck Protection Program, you could be facing the possibility of serving years or even decades in a federal prison. Fortunately, our experienced federal crimes lawyers are here to protect your freedom, your future and your reputation. We can help you understand what to expect from the federal process and prepare you for the possibility of a federal investigation or criminal case. Consult our PPP defense attorneys at Federal Huss Law today for a free case evaluation.

PPP AREAS & QUESTIONS

About the Paycheck Protection Program

The Paycheck Protection Program offers forgivable loans backed by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) that small businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic can use to cover the cost of payroll and other eligible expenses, such as interests on mortgages, utilities, and rent and lease payments. The main principle of the PPP is to encourage business owners to keep their workforce employed during COVID-19, and as part of the application process, borrowers are required to certify in good faith that “current economic uncertainty” makes the loan necessary to support ongoing business operations. The application for PPP loan forgiveness also requires the borrower to make certain certifications in order to qualify for forgiveness, i.e. that the business retained its employees and used the PPP funds for payroll and other authorized purposes. Unfortunately, because of several different factors – first, the sheer number of PPP loan applications that were submitted, second, the speed at which the loans were processed, and third, the fact that borrowers were allowed to self-certify – there are some ineligible businesses that received loans, some for millions of dollars. Now, business owners across the country are concerned that they may be targeted by an SBA audit or federal PPP fraud investigation if they can’t sufficiently prove that they needed the loan or qualified for loan forgiveness.

Federal PPP Fraud Cases We Handle

As the federal government continues its onslaught against PPP loan fraud, Jeremy Huss and the defense attorneys at Federal Huss Law are preparing to represent clients in a wide variety of fraud cases. The following are some, but not all, of the federal charges the Department of Justice is prepared to bring against individuals and businesses suspected of committing PPP loan fraud:

Bank fraud (a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1344)
Wire fraud (a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343)
Aggravated identity theft (a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1028A)
Tax evasion (a violation of 26 U.S.C. § 7201)
Making false statements to the SBA (a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1014)
Making false statements to a financial institution (a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1014)
Making false statements to federal agents (a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1001)
Conspiracy and attempt (a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349)

Criminal Charges for PPP Loan Fraud

Title 18 of the U.S. Code and other related federal statutes provide federal prosecutors with numerous opportunities to pursue criminal charges for alleged PPP loan fraud, including broadly defined charges that are not specific to any particular federal program or any one type of fraudulent act. The federal bank fraud and wire fraud statutes, in particular, are very vague and can apply to a wide variety of fraudulent activity related to the Paycheck Protection Program. Bank fraud, for instance, occurs when any person executes, or attempts to execute, any type of scheme to defraud a financial institution, or to obtain any funds under the control of a financial institution by means of false or fraudulent representations, pretenses or promises. In cases involving allegations of PPP fraud, a charge of bank fraud can carry a fine of up to $1,000,000 and a maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison, among other life-changing penalties. Even if you didn’t actually receive federally backed funds under the Paycheck Protection Program, you can still face criminal charges for any attempt or conspiracy to fraudulently obtain a PPP loan or make false certifications to qualify for loan forgiveness.

What Our PPP Defense Attorneys Can Do for You

Being charged with a federal crime like bank fraud can be frightening and confusing, especially if you are accused of fraudulently obtaining a forgivable loan that you believed you were eligible to receive. The problem with the Paycheck Protection Program is that the loan program guidelines shifted a number of times in the months after it was introduced, which left many borrowers unsure of their status with regard to PPP loan eligibility and forgiveness. If you have been accused of committing PPP loan fraud, or if you have received a target letter from the federal government, you are not alone. Business owners nationwide are facing a great deal of scrutiny regarding the funds they obtained or applied for under the Paycheck Protection Program, especially now as many businesses begin the process of applying for loan forgiveness.

The government’s investigation and prosecution of PPP loan fraud promises to be aggressive and thorough, and our PPP defense attorneys can help. We specialize in federal criminal defense, and regardless of what kind of situation you find yourself in, we can help guide you towards a reasonable resolution, whether that means providing reliable legal advice following a PPP fraud arrest, responding to a federal investigative inquiry, or defending you against PPP loan fraud charges in federal court. Jeremy Huss has a great deal of experience as a defense attorney and former prosecutor and he devotes his practice to the assertive, uncompromising defense of those accused of federal crimes, like fraud.

Call Jeremy Huss Today for a Free Consultation

Fraud against the federal government is an extremely serious matter and a conviction for PPP fraud carries severe penalties that could affect you for the rest of your life. If you are in need of a skilled, reputable federal criminal defense attorney, look no further than Jeremy Huss and Federal Huss Law. We are a team of accomplished defense attorneys committed to protecting the rights and best interests of those accused of federal crimes and we offer free initial consultations for all prospective clients. Call us today to find out how we can help you in your PPP fraud case.