An attorney from Palm Beach Gardens was sentenced for COVID loan fraud last week to 41 months in federal prison. The attorney plead guilty to seeking more than $1.6 million in fraudulent forgivable Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan applications for companies he owned in whole or in part.

The Justice Department said he transferred some of the loans to others and a portion was used as a down payment for the purchase of his home, as well as used to purchase jewelry, travel and repairs on his boat and home.

On May 17, 2021, the U.S. attorney general established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the DOJ in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent COVID loan fraud.

On Sept. 15, the Southern District of Florida's U.S. Attorney's Office was selected to head one of three national COVID-19 Fraud Strike Force Teams.