Profiles · Fraud defendants
- Type
- Person
- Role
- Defendant
- Programs
- PPP
- Updated
The profile
An Encino, California man convicted by a federal jury of submitting 27 fraudulent PPP loan applications seeking roughly $27 million. He filed them with four banks on behalf of eight companies he solely owned and was sentenced to 135 months (over 11 years) in prison.
Identity and role
Robert Benlevi, 53, of Encino, California, was the sole owner of eight companies used in the fraud, prosecuted in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
The scheme and pandemic-relief role
According to the Department of Justice, between April and June 2020, Benlevi submitted 27 PPP loan applications to four banks on behalf of eight companies he solely owned, seeking a total of approximately $27 million.
Legal status / controversies
- Charged: by indictment, U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
- Convicted: by federal jury, March 28, 2022, on bank fraud, making false statements to a financial institution, and money laundering.
- Sentenced: July 19, 2022 — 135 months (11 years, 3 months) in prison.
Where they are now (2025–2026)
Last reported status: the 135-month sentence imposed on July 19, 2022.
Sources
- DOJ, "Man Convicted for $27 Million PPP Fraud Scheme" — original: DOJ, "Man Convicted for $27 Million PPP Fraud Scheme" (original: justice.gov) (archived: Man Convicted for $27 Million PPP Fraud Scheme (original: justice.gov))
- DOJ, "California Man Sentenced to Over 11 Years for $27 Million PPP Fraud Scheme" — original: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/california-man-sentenced-over-11-years-27-million-ppp-fraud-scheme (archived: California Man Sentenced To Over 11 Years For 27 Million PPP Fraud Schem (original: https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/california-man-sentenced-over-11-years-27-million-ppp-fraud-scheme))
- PACER docket report, United States v. Benlevi, C.D. Cal. No. 2:21-cr-00246