Court filing
Complaint and Demand for Jury Trial — No. 1:22-cv-00028 (Dkt. 1, W.D. Mich.)
Summary
A qui tam complaint filed in camera and under seal on January 11, 2022 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Case No. 1:22-cv-28, by relator The Mackinac Center for Public Policy against The Michigan Education Association and The Michigan Education Special Services Association. It alleges violations of the False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. §§ 3729 et seq., in obtaining loans under the Paycheck Protection Program. The complaint states that the defendants collectively obtained more than $12 million in PPP loans through false statements and seeks statutory penalties and treble damages.
Summary drafted by a model from the document's text below and checked by script against that text before publication. It is a navigation aid, not a reading of what the document proves. Where AI is used
Filed January 11, 2022 in No. 1:22-cv-00028; one of 2 filings from this case.
Record facts
| Court | U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan |
|---|---|
| Filed | 2022-01-11 |
Cite this document
“Complaint and Demand for Jury Trial — No. 1:22-cv-00028 (Dkt. 1, W.D. Mich.).”
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan, No. 1:22-cv-00028, Doc. 1, filed 2022-01-11. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/court-filings/miwd-1-22-cv-00028/2022-01-11-complaint-and-demand-for-jury-trial-dkt-1/
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Case 1:22-cv-00028-HYJ-PJG ECF No.1, PagelD.1 Filed 01/11/22 Page 1 of 16
FILED - GR
J 11, 2022 1:08 PM
UNITED STATES DISCTRICT COURT a CLERK OF COURT
U.S. DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN WESTe 3 DISTRICTCOURT
BY.JMW SCANNED BY: £B mel
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ex rel. ° rv.
MACKINAC CENTER FOR PUBLIC 1:22-cv-28
POLICY, Hala Y. Jarbou
Plaintiff, CASE NO. U.S. District Judge
vs. JUDGE
COMPLAINT AND DEMAND FOR
THE MICHIGAN EDUCATION JURY TRIAL
ASSOCIATION, and THE MICHIGAN FILED IN CAMERA AND UNDER
EDUCATION SPECIAL SERVICES SEAL PURSUANT TO 31 U.S.C.
ASSOCIATION, §3730(b)(2)
Defendants.
Plaintiff-Relator The Mackinac Center for Public Policy (“The Mackinac
Center’), on behalf the United States of America, for its Complaint against Defendants, The
Michigan Education Association (the “MEA”) and The Michigan Education Special Services
Association (“MESSA”), states the following:
I. INTRODUCTION
1. This is an action to recover damages and civil penalties on behalf of the United
States of America arising from false statements and claims made by Defendants or their agents
and employees in violation of the False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. §§ 3729 et seq. (the “FCA”).
2. This action seeks to recover money lost when the Defendants fraudulently
obtained millions of dollars in forgivable federal loans distributed under the Paycheck Protection
Program (the “PPP”).
Case 1:22-cv-00028-HYJ-PJG ECF No.1, PagelD.2 Filed 01/11/22 Page 2 of 16
3. The PPP is a loan program created by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and
Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”), Pub. L. No. 116-136, 134 Stat. 281 (2020). The
purpose of the PPP was to help certain businesses, self-employed workers, sole proprietors, and
non-profit organizations continue paying their workers in spite of economic difficulties and
uncertainties created by COVID-19.
4. The CARES Act clearly stated which types of employers were eligible to apply
for PPP loans. Furthermore, the United States Small Business Administration (“SBA”), which
was responsible for administering the PPP program, published interim final rules, FAQs, and
borrower application forms that further clarified which employers were eligible for PPP loans.
5. Non-profit corporations registered under sections 501(c)(5) and 501(c)(9) were
not among the employers eligible to receive PPP loans.
6. The MEA is a 501(c)(5) corporation, and MESSA is a 501(c)(9) corporation.
Thus, Defendants were not eligible to receive PPP loans.
7. Nonetheless, Defendants submitted applications to the SBA in which they
affirmatively certified that they were eligible to receive PPP loans.
8. As a direct result of their false and fraudulent statements, Defendants collectively
obtained more than $12 million in PPP loans.
9. As a direct result of the Defendants’ false and fraudulent statements, the United
States Government paid fees to process the Defendants’ fraudulent loan applications.
10. In so doing, Defendants clearly and undeniably violated the False Claims Act,
entitling the United States Government to statutory penalties and treble damages.
Il. THE PARTIES
11. Plaintiff-Relator The Mackinac Center is a research and educational institute that
advances the principles of free markets and limited government. The Mackinac Center is a
2
Case 1:22-cv-00028-HYJ-PJG ECF No.1, PagelD.3 Filed 01/11/22 Page 3 of 16
Michigan non-profit corporation registered under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The
Mackinac Center’s registered office is in Midland, Michigan.
12. The Michigan Education Association is a labor union representing about 120,000
teachers, education support professionals and higher-education employees throughout the state of
Michigan. The MEA is a domestic non-profit corporation registered under section 501(c)(5) of
the Internal Revenue Code. The MEA’s registered agent is Michael Shoudy, and the MEA’s
registered office is located at 1350 Kendale Blvd, East Lansing, MI 48823.
13. The Michigan Education Special Services Association is a voluntary employees’
benefit association that provides insurance benefits to its members. MESSA is a domestic
nonprofit corporation registered under section 501(c)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code.
MESSA’s registered agent is Ross J. Wilson, and whose registered office is located at 1475
Kendale Blvd, East Lansing, MI 48823.
I. JURISDICTION AND VENUE
14. | This Court has jurisdiction over the subject matter of this action pursuant to 28
U.S.C. § 1331 and 31 U.S.C. § 3732, the latter of which specifically confers jurisdiction on this
Court for actions brought pursuant to 31 U.S.C. §§ 3729 and 3730.
15. This Court has personal jurisdiction over the Defendants pursuant to 31 U.S.C. §
3732 because Defendants reside and transact business in this judicial district, and because
Defendants engaged in an act proscribed by 31 U.S.C. § 3729 in this judicial district by
knowingly presenting false or fraudulent claims for payment or approval, and/or knowingly
making false records or statements material to false or fraudulent claims.
16. | Venue is proper in the Western District of Michigan pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §
1391(b) because both Defendants reside in and transact business in this judicial district, and
Case 1:22-cv-00028-HYJ-PJG ECFNo.1, PagelD.4 Filed 01/11/22 Page 4 of 16
because a substantial part of the events or omissions giving rise to these claims occurred in this
judicial district.
IV. THE PPP LOAN PROGRAM
17. The Paycheck Protection Program (the “PPP”) is a loan program created by the
federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”), Pub. L. No.
116-136, § 1102, 134 Stat. 286-294 (2020). Although the CARES Act was amended in May
2020 and on multiple occasions thereafter, the Defendants’ violations of the False Claims Act
occurred in April 2020, and thus all citations to the CARES Act in this Complaint refer to the
CARES Act as originally enacted on March 21, 2020.
A. Overview of the PPP
18. Congress created the PPP to help certain businesses, self-employed workers, sole
proprietors, and non-profit organizations continue paying their workers in spite of the economic
hardships and uncertainty created by COVID-19. To that end, Congress appropriated
$349,000,000 for the PPP loan program in the CARES Act. Jd. at § 1107(a)(1), 134 Stat. 301.
19. The CARES Act placed the task of administering many aspects of the PPP on the
United States Small Business Administration (the “SBA”). The SBA published interim final
rules relating to the PPP on April 2, 2020, which had an effective date of April 15, 2020.
(Exhibit 1) The SBA also published a Borrower Application Form on April 2, 2020 (Exhibit 2),
various FAQs, and other informational and governing documents on its website. See
https:/www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/covid-1 9-relief-options/paycheck-protection-
program (last accessed on January 4, 2022).
20. | Under the PPP, eligible employers could apply for loans worth up to two months’
of their average monthly payroll costs from the last year, plus an additional 25% of that amount.
Case 1:22-cv-00028-HYJ-PJG ECF No.1, PagelD.5 Filed 01/11/22 Page 5 of 16
CARES Act, Pub. L. No. 116-136, § 1102(a)(2)(E), 134 Stat. 289 (2020). AIl loans were subject
toa $10 million cap. Jd.
21. Eligible employers could apply for a PPP loan by filling out the SBA’s Borrower
Application Form and submitting it to an SBA-approved lender. (Exhibit 2). If the application
was approved, the lender would issue the approved loan amount to the applicant. Each loan
issued under the PPP was guaranteed by the SBA. CARES Act, Pub. L. No. 116-136, at §
1112(a)(1), 134 Stat. 309 (2020).
22. When the lender disbursed payment under the program, the lender submitted SBA
Form 1502 to the SBA seeking a payment of PPP Processing fees. SBA Procedural Notice No.
5000-20091 issued February 8, 2021 (Exhibit 3).
23. For First Draw PPP Loans made before December 27, 2020, the SBA paid the
lender a one percent (1%) processing fee for loans of at least $2,000,000. Jd. at 1.
24. Recipients who used the PPP loan money for specified purposes and who met
certain requirements could apply for loan forgiveness through their lender. The full loan amount
would be forgiven as long as:
¢ The loan proceeds are used to cover payroll costs, and most
mortgage interest, rent, and utility costs over the 8 week period
after the loan is made; and
* Employee and compensation levels are maintained
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Information Sheet: Borrowers
(published 3/31/2020) (available at
https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/PPP--Fact-Sheet.pdf);
See also CARES Act, Pub. L. No. 116-136, § 1106(b), (d), 134
Stat. 298-299 (2020)
25. If the loan was forgiven, the SBA would issue payment to the lender for the
amount of the forgiven loan. /d. at § 1106(c)(3), 134 Stat. 298.
Case 1:22-cv-00028-HYJ-PJG ECF No.1, PagelD.6 Filed 01/11/22 Page 6 of 16
26. Recipients who were not eligible for complete loan forgiveness were subject to a
1% interest rate and a 2-year repayment requirement. Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
Information Sheet: Borrowers (published 3/31/2020) (available at
https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/PPP--Fact-Sheet.pdf).
B. Eligibility to Participate in the PPP Loan Program was Limited to Select Entities
27. Only the following organizations were eligible to receive PPP loans under the
CARES Act as originally passed:
e “small business concerns, [and] any business concern, nonprofit
organization, veterans organization, or Tribal business concern described
in section 31(b)(2)(C) ... if the business concern, nonprofit organization,
veterans organization, or Tribal business concern employs not more than
the greater of...(I1) 500 employees; or (II) if applicable, the size standard
in number of employees established by the Administration for the
industry in which the business concern, nonprofit organization, veterans
organization, or Tribal concern operates” (Pub. L. No. 116-136, §
1102(a)(2)(D)(a), 134 Stat. 288);
e “sole proprietors, independent contractors, and self-employed
individuals” who met certain requirements (/d. at § 1102(D)(ii)); and
e “{b]Jusiness concerns with more than | physical location ... that employ{]
not more than 500 employees per physical locations of the business
concern and that [are] assigned a North American Industry Classification
Case 1:22-cv-00028-HYJ-PJG ECFNo.1, PagelD.7 Filed 01/11/22 Page 7 of 16
System code beginning with 72 at the time of disbursal...” could also
apply for PPP loans (/d. at § 1102(D)(iii)).'
28. Importantly, the CARES Act defines “non-profit organizations” as “an
organization that is described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and
that is exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of such Code.” Jd § 1102(a)(2)(A)(vii),
134 Stat. 286 (emphasis added).
29. The SBA included the following statement regarding eligibility in its interim final
rule published April 15, 2020, reiterating that only the following entities were eligible for PPP
loans:
a. Am I eligible?
You are eligible for a PPP loan if you
have 500 or fewer employees whose
principal place of residence is in the
United States, or are a business that
operates in a certain industry and meet
the applicable SBA employee-based size
standards for that industry, and:
i. You are:
A. A small business concern as
defined in section 3 of the Small
Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632), and
subject to SBA’s affiliation rules under
13 CFR 121.301(f) unless specifically
waived in the Act; or
B. A tax-exempt nonprofit
organization described in section
' Only businesses in the accommodation and food services industry are assigned a NAICS code beginning with 72.
7
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501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code
(IRC), a tax-exempt veterans
organization described in section
501(c){19) of the IRC, Tribal business
concern described in section 31(b)(2)(C)
of the Small Business Act, or any other
business; and
ii. You were in operation on February
15, 2020 and either had employees for
whom you paid salaries and payroll
taxes or paid independent contractors,
as reported on a Form 1099—MISC.
You are also eligible for a PPP loan if
you are an individual who operates
under a sole proprietorship or as an
independent contractor or eligible self-
employed individual, and you were in
operation on February 15, 2020.
SBA Interim Final Rule, published April 15, 2020, located at 13
CFR Part 120, available at
https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/PPP--
IFRN%20FINAL.pdf
30. Finally, the SBA’s borrower application form also made it clear that only certain
types of entities were eligible for PPP loans. The Borrower Application Form available in April
of 2020 required applicants to “check” a box listing what type of entity they were. The only
available selections were the following:
Check One: — Sole propnetor J Partnership 1] C-Corp 1 S-Corp 1 LLC
— Independent contractor L] Eligible self-employed individual
—} 501(c)(3) nonprofit 2 501(c)(19) veterans organization
—! Tribal business (sec. 31(b)(2)(C) of Small Business Act) J Other
(Exhibit 2)
31. | The CARES Act, the SBA interim final rules, and the SBA Borrower Application
Form thus made it abundantly clear that only certain, specific types of entities were eligible for
Case 1:22-cv-00028-HYJ-PJG ECF No.1, PagelD.9 Filed 01/11/22 Page 9 of 16
PPP loans. Two types of entities that were clearly and unmistakably not eligible for PPP loans
were non-profits registered under 501(c)(5) and 501(c)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Eligible non-profit entities were limited to those organized under section 501(c)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code.
V. DEFENDANTS FALSELY CERTIFIED THAT THEY WERE ELIGIBLE FOR
PPP LOANS AND COLLECTIVELY OBTAINED MORE THAN $12 MILLION
IN FEDERAL MONEY.
32. The SBA Borrower Application Form required applicants to make the following
certifications, among others:
e Ihave read the statements included in this form, including
the Statements Required by Law and Executive Orders, and
I understand them.
e The Applicant is eligible to receive a loan under the
rules in effect at the time this application is submitted
that have been issued by the Small Business Administration
(SBA) implementing the Paycheck Protection Program
under Division A, Title I of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief,
and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) (the Paycheck
Protection Program Rule).
(Exhibit 2) (emphasis added)
33. Even though the MEA is a 501(c)(5) corporation and MESSA is a 501(c)(9)
corporation, both organizations submitted PPP loan applications in April 2020 in which they
certified that they were “eligible to receive a loan under the rules in effect at the time this
application is submitted.”
34. As a direct result of their false certifications, MESSA was approved for a
$6,130,300 PPP loan on April 28, 2020, and the MEA was approved for a $6,420,500 PPP loan
on April 29, 2020. (Exhibit 4).
Case 1:22-cv-00028-HYJ-PJG ECF No.1, PagelD.10 Filed 01/11/22 Page 10 of 16
35. As a direct result of their false certifications, upon information and belief, the
SBA paid the Defendants’ lenders a processing fee in excess of $100,000 for processing the
Defendants’ loan applications and disbursing payment under the PPP program.
36. | MESSA’s and MEA’s false certifications resulted in a reduction of PPP loan
funding available to eligible recipients.
37. In fact, many applicants who were eligible for PPP loans were unable to obtain or
delayed in obtaining loans because the $349,000,000 initially appropriated for the PPP was
exhausted within just 13 days. See https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/it-took-13-days-for-
the-paycheck-protection-program-to-run-out-of-money-what-comes-next (last accessed on
January 4, 2022).
VI. THE MACKINAC CENTER DISCOVERS THAT THE MEA AND MESSA
FRAUDULENTLY OBTAINED PPP MONEY
38. The SBA released data in July 2020 revealing the identity of most PPP loan
recipients, as well as the amount of money each recipient received. (Exhibit 4).
39. The SBA did not release any information regarding a recipient’s business type
(e.g. 501(c)(3) corporation, tribal entity, etc.). Further, certain information was not provided
pursuant to FOIA exemptions 4 and 6. Exemption 4 protects “trade secrets and commercial or
financial information obtained from a person [that is] privileged or confidential.” 5 U.S.C. §
552(b)(4). Exemption 6 protects information when the disclosure “would constitute a clearly
unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.” 5 U.S.C. § 552(b)(6).
40. On July 6, 2020, the Detroit News reported that the MEA had received a $6.4
million dollar PPP loan. (Exhibit 5) According to the Detroit News, MEA spokesman Doug
Pratt made the following statement to the Detroit News:
10
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“With 285 employees across Michigan, we’re proud of the fact that we’ve been able to do
the right thing and continue to pay employees during the pandemic, despite uncertainty
on the horizon... The PPP Program has helped us do that.” Jd.
41. After learning that the MEA had obtained a PPP loan, The Mackinac Center
conducted its own investigation. The Mackinac Center reviewed the SBA loan data to confirm
the report, and in so doing also learned that MESSA had also received a PPP loan.
42. The Mackinac Center then reviewed Defendants’ filings with the IRS, which
revealed that the MEA is a 501(c)(5) corporation and that MESSA is a 501(c)(9) corporation.
43. | The Mackinac Center then filed a FOJA request with the SBA, requesting:
1. A copy of any applications for Paycheck Protection Program
(“PPP”) loans by the Michigan Education Association
(“MEA”) and Michigan Education Special Services
Association (“MESSA”)...
2. Any documents in SBA’s possession which demonstrate that
MEA and MESSA are eligible for PPP funding, despite being
501(c)(5) and 501(c)(9) organizations respectively.
3. Any documents in SBA’s possession which demonstrate that
MEA’s and MESSA’s eligibility for PPP funding was not
independently reviewed by the SBA.
4. Any documents provided to SBA that attest to MEA and
MESSA maintain the non-profit status required to be eligible
for PPP funding.
(Exhibit 6)
44. | The SBA responded with a letter dated October 21, 2020. In relevant part, the
SBA stated that “[a]ll publicly available information regarding PPP loans can be found at the
following link: www.sba.gov/ppp....Please note, loan applications are filed and maintained with
the Lender, and the Agency does not have those applications.” (Exhibit 7)
1]
Case 1:22-cv-00028-HYJ-PJG ECF No.1, PagelD.12 Filed 01/11/22 Page 12 of 16
45. The Mackinac Center requested comment from the MEA’s lender, Comerica
Bank, but Comerica refused to comment.
46. The Mackinac Center then presented the MEA with some of its findings, and
requested a comment. (Exhibit 8) MEA Spokesman Liz Boyd responded with the following
statement on January 10, 2021 (Exhibit 9)
At the time of applying for the PPP loans, we believed doing so
was the right decision given the guidelines available at the time
and the tremendous uncertainty facing our organizations.
However, as each organization independently prepared for the loan
forgiveness application and reviewed final rules promulgated after
the loans were funded, the organizations each believed we would
be ineligible for forgiveness. As such, both MEA and MESSA paid
back the PPP loans in full prior to the end of the calendar year.
47. After receiving the MEA’s statement, The Mackinac Center reviewed the MEA’s
Form LM2 Labor Organization Annual Report. The Form LM2 is an annual report that labor
organizations with more than $250,000 in annual receipts must file with the U.S. Department of
Labor. The MEA filed its LM2 on November 25, 2020. (Exhibit 10) The “period covered” by
the LM2 was September 1, 2019 through August 31, 2020. Ud., Box 2) Schedule 9 of the LM2
is entitled “Loans Payable.” Under the heading of “Loans Obtained During Period C,” the MEA
listed a loan of $5,604,200. Under the heading of ““Loans Owed at End of Period E”, the MEA
revealed that it still owed $5,604,200. (Id., Schedule 9). This is clearly inaccurate, as the MEA’s
PPP loan was for $6,420,500, and it also reveals that the MEA had not repaid its loan as of
August 2020.
48. More tellingly, the SBA data regarding loans distributed with values over
$150,000, which was updated on March 3, 2021, states that the MEA did not repay its PPP loan
until January 14, 2021 — four days after The Mackinac Center asked the MEA to comment on
its investigation findings. (Exhibit 4, Line 407841).
12
Case 1:22-cv-00028-HYJ-PJG ECF No.1, PagelD.13 Filed 01/11/22 Page 13 of 16
49. | The same SBA report does not provide any information suggesting that MESSA
repaid its PPP loan. (Exhibit 4, Line 407860)
50. On November 29 2021, the MEA filed its LM2 for the period of September 1,
2020 through August 31, 2021. (Exhibit 11). Under the heading of “Loans Owed at Start of
Period (B),” the MEA listed a loan of $5,604,200. Under the heading of “Repayment During
Period Cash (D)(1)”, the MEA revealed that it paid $5,604,200, and claimed that it owed no
more loans at the end of the period.
Vil. CONCLUSIONS
51. As a result of its independent investigation, The Mackinac Center reached the
following conclusions:
i. The MEA and MESSA were ineligible for PPP funding.
ii. In spite of the clear limitations on which employers were eligible to
participate in the PPP program, the MEA and MESSA filed borrower
application forms in which they falsely certified that they were eligible for
PPP loans.
ill. Asa direct result of their false claims, Defendants misappropriated more than
$12 million in PPP funding.
iv. When confronted with the MEA’s violation of the law, the MEA falsely
claimed that it had returned the money. Four days later, the MEA actually did
return the money to the SBA.
v. There is no evidence to suggest that MESSA has yet returned its PPP funding.
52. At the conclusion of its investigation, and prior to filing this Complaint, The
Mackinac Center disclosed its findings to the United States Attorney’s Office.
13
Case 1:22-cv-00028-HYJ-PJG ECF No.1, PagelD.14 Filed 01/11/22 Page 14 of 16
COUNT I
VIOLATION OF THE FALSE CLAIMS ACT
31 U.S.C. §83729(a)(1)(A)-(B)
53. The Mackinac Center realleges and incorporates by reference the allegations
contained in paragraphs | through 46 above as though fully set forth herein.
54. This is a claim for treble damages and penalties under the False Claims Act, 31
U.S.C. § 3729, et seg., as amended.
55. 31 U.S.C. § 3730 authorizes a private person to “bring a civil action for violation
of section 3729 for the person and for the United States Government.”
56. By virtue of the acts described above, including but not limited to falsely
certifying that they were eligible for PPP funds, Defendants knowingly presented, or caused to
be presented, false or fraudulent claims to the United States Government for payment or
approval, in violation of 31 U.S.C. § 3729.
57. By virtue of the acts described above, including but not limited to falsely
certifying that they were eligible for PPP funds, Defendants knowingly made or used, or caused
to be made or used, false or fraudulent records or statements material to false or fraudulent
claims for payment by the government, in violation of 31 U.S.C. § 3729.
58. By virtue of the acts described above, including but not limited to falsely
certifying that they were eligible for PPP funds, Defendants presented a false claim for money to
a lender, where the money was to be spent or used on the Government’s behalf or to advance a
Government program or interest, and the Government has provided any portion of the money
requested or will reimburse the lender for any portion of the money which is requested or
demanded, in violation of 31 U.S.C. § 3729.
59. As a direct result of Defendants’ false certifications, MESSA obtained $6,130,300
in PPP funding on April 28, 2020, and the MEA obtained $6,420,500 in PPP funding on April
14
Case 1:22-cv-00028-HYJ-PJG ECF No.1, PagelD.15 Filed 01/11/22 Page 15 of 16
29, 2020. Defendants would not have received any money had they not falsely claimed they
were eligible for funding.
60. As a direct result of the Defendants’ false certifications, the SBA paid the
Defendants’ lenders substantial processing fees in excess of $100,000.
61. Through the Defendants’ actions, the United States has been injured and suffered
damage in a substantial amount to be determined at trial.
62. Additionally, the United States is entitled to the maximum statutory penalty of not
less than $11,655 and not more than to $23,331 for each incident of Defendants’ unlawful
conduct, pursuant to 31 U.S.C. § 3729(a)(1) and 28 C.F.R. § 85.5
63. The Mackinac Center’s claim is not barred by the public disclosure provision in
31 U.S.C. § 3730 because Plaintiff-Relator is an “original source” of much of the information
provided in this Complaint, as described in 31 U.S.C. §§ 3730(e)(4)(A)-(B). Although the
simple fact that the Defendants had received PPP funding was publicly disclosed by the SBA,
The Mackinac Center, through its extensive independent investigation, obtained knowledge that
is independent of and materially adds to the publicly disclosed allegations or transactions, and
voluntarily provided the information to the Government before filing this action.
64. —_In the alternative, even if The Mackinac Center does not qualify as an original
source, the Government has the power, under 31 U.S.C. § 3730(e)(4)A), to oppose any motion to
dismiss based on the public disclosure bar, and, in that circumstance, the Court may not dismiss
this action.
PRAYER FOR RELIEF
WHEREFORE, qui tam Plaintiff-Relator The Mackinac Center prays for judgment
against the Defendants as follows:
15
Case 1:22-cv-00028-HYJ-PJG ECF No.1, PagelD.16 Filed 01/11/22 Page 16 of 16
1. That Defendants return all PPP money still within their possession, plus appropriate
interest;
2. That Defendants cease and desist from violating 31 U.S.C. § 3729 et seq.;
3. That this Court enter judgment against Defendants in an amount equal to three times the
amount of damages the United States has sustained because of Defendants’ actions, plus
a civil penalty of not less than $11,665 for each violation of 31 U.S.C. § 3729;
4. That Relator be awarded the maximum amount allowed pursuant to § 3730(d) of the
False Claims Act;
5. That Relator be awarded all costs of this action, including attorneys’ fees and expenses;
and
6. That Relator recover such other relief as the Court deems just and proper.
DEMAND FOR A JURY TRIAL
Pursuant to Rule 38 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Relator hereby demands a
trial by jury.
MILLER JOHNSON
Attorneys for Plaintiff
Dated: January 11, 2022 By Ae SS Aaa
«James R. Peterson (P43102)
Business Address:
45 Ottawa Ave. SW
Suite 1100
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Telephone: (616) 831-1700
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MJ_DMS 32974621v2File and source
- File
- 1-qui-tam-complaint-relator-mackinac-center-for-public-policy.pdf
- Size
- 313,703 bytes
- SHA-256
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