Employee Sentenced for Fraudulent Receipt of Pandemic-Related Funds

A machinist journeyman based in Sunrise, Florida, was sentenced July 23, 2025, in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, to 18 months of probation and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $90,900 after pleading guilty to one count of felony theft, as a result of money received from fraudulent COVID-19 pandemic-related loan applications. Our investigation found that the employee submitted an application containing false statements to the Small Business Administration to qualify for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan. As a result, the employee received $91,000 to which he was not entitled. The employee also submitted an application containing false statements and information for a Paycheck Protection Program loan, resulting in receipt of an additional $9,194 to which he was not entitled.