Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery Quarterly Report to Congress, October through December 2024
Summary
Quarterly Report to the United States Congress for October through December 2024 from the Office of the Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery (SIGPR), with a message from Special Inspector General Brian D. Miller calling it the 19th report and possibly the last if SIGPR sunsets in March 2025. The message says the Federal Reserve has reported over $1.36 billion in Main Street Lending Program loan losses, that investigations cover potential fraud totaling $577 million and as many as 130 potential defendants, and it asks for a five-year extension. The audits section says that as of January 1, 2025 nine direct loans were in default, with approximately $49.7 million outstanding, and that Treasury has been reimbursed all but $3.46 billion of its Main Street investment. SIGPR reports $62 million in funding since March 2020 and more than $187 million in total investigative outcomes.
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- Document type
- Memorandum
- Date
- 2025-01-01
Cite this document
“Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery Quarterly Report to Congress, October through December 2024.”
Original at www.sigpr.gov, dated 2025-01-01. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/2025-01-01-19th-sigpr-quarterly-report/
, SHA-256 75166ecc40cef02570a256aa146244677c055d6bbdc5b378e8a954b30202dd7f.Full text
OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR PANDEMIC RECOVERY Quarterly Report to the United States Congress October through December 2024 MESSAGE FROM THE SPECIAL INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR PANDEMIC RECOVERY I am pleased to present our 19th semi-annual report to Congress. This will be our final report if SIGPR sunsets in less than three months. With award winning criminal investigations that have yielded a myriad of judicial actions, a return on investment of over 300%, and 130 potential defendants that will more than likely never be prosecuted if SIGPR sunsets, it would be unwise not to extend SIGPR in order for us to continue our mission. The Federal Reserve has reported over $1.36 billion in loan losses, which will only increase as the 70% principal payments start coming due on the loans four months after SIGPR terminates operations. During this reporting period, SIGPR issued its final memorandum on the effect the Main Street Lending Program (MSLP) loan losses have on Treasury’s investment in the program. SIGPR continues to rely almost entirely upon leads it developed itself (as opposed to the referrals that most agencies pursue) and has continued its pursuit of a significant number of investigations within SIGPR’s jurisdiction. These investigations encompass potential fraud totaling $577 million and as many as 130 potential defendants. This quarter the Office of Investigations was responsible for numerous outcomes involving fraud schemes against multiple CARES Act programs. A nationwide telecommunications provider and its CEO pled guilty to a scheme to defraud programs administered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Small Business Administration (SBA) totaling over $127 million. In Texas, two individuals pled guilty for their involvement in a $53 million fraud scheme that included over $13 million in CARES Act funding. In another case, three individuals were arrested in connection with a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) fraud scheme where PPP lending service providers were submitting fraudulent applications. Additionally, six individuals in the Western District of Virginia pled guilty to filing fraudulent claims totaling more than $341,000 to obtain pandemic unemployment benefits while incarcerated. I want to thank the auditors, special agents, attorneys, and administrative staff of SIGPR, all of whom are professional public servants sharing one goal—to protect the American people from fraud, waste, and abuse. As I have noted in previous correspondence and other communications with Congress, for this work to continue, we are asking for a five-year extension beyond our March 2025 sunset date. We need this time to see our investigations through to completion and program audits to conclusion. Most loans within our jurisdiction mature in 2025; should defaults then occur, without an extension SIGPR will sunset just when it is most needed. We at SIGPR will continue our mission and look forward to working with you in the future. Very respectfully, Brian D. Miller Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery SPECIAL INSPECTOR GENERAL | PANDEMIC RECOVERY 1 PROFILE ABOUT SIGPR is an independent organization within Treasury whose mission is to promote the economy, efficiency, effectiveness, and integrity of CARES Act funds and programs. SIGPR was established by section 4018 of the CARES Act with duties, responsibilities, and authority under the Inspector General Act of 1978. STAFFING AND BUDGET SIGPR has 21 employees on board. We continue to be judicious in the execution of our budget in support of the SIGPR mission. CONTENTS SIGPR OVERSIGHT Audits 3 Investigations 5 FINDINGS AND DEVELOPMENTS Direct Loans and Other Investments 13 REPORT TO CONGRESS | APRIL – JUNE 2024 2 SECTION 1 SIGPR OVERSIGHT SIGPR employs proactive efforts to detect and investigate fraud, waste, and abuse involving CARES Act funds and programs within SIGPR’s jurisdiction. Below is a summary of SIGPR’s activities during the reporting period: Audits The Office of Audits conducts audits and evaluations of loans and other investments made by Treasury under programs within SIGPR’s jurisdiction.1 Engagements During this quarter, the Office of Audits completed one engagement related to Treasury’s investment in the MSLP. The MSLP supported lending to small and medium-sized for-profit businesses and nonprofit organizations that were in sound financial condition before the onset of the pandemic. The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, which manages the program, set up a Special Purpose Vehicle to purchase 95 percent of participations in MSLP loans from lender banks. These purchases were backed by a $16.6 billion equity investment by Treasury. The office also continued to monitor the performance of Treasury’s Direct Loan Program. The Direct Loan Program was established under section 4003 of the CARES Act and authorized Treasury to provide loans, loan guarantees, and other investments to passenger air carriers and related businesses, cargo air carriers, and businesses critical to maintaining national security. Treasury made direct loans to 35 such businesses, providing them with liquidity to withstand losses incurred as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. As of January 1, 2025, nine loans with outstanding balances were in default.2 The total outstanding loan amount for the loans in default is approximately $49.7 million. Audit of the Effects the Main Street Lending Program’s Loan Losses Have on Treasury’s Investment in the Program SIGPR issued its final memorandum, which focuses on whether MSLP loan losses will prevent the Department of the Treasury from being reimbursed its entire $37.5 billion equity investment into the program. MSLP 5-year term loans do not become due until July 2025 through January 2026. Without extension to SIGPR’s currently scheduled March 2025 statutory sunset date, it will not exist to definitively determine whether Treasury will recover all its investment into the program. As of November 30, 2024, Treasury has been reimbursed all but $3.46 billion of its initial investment. However, MSLP loan losses continue to increase, and as of December 31, 2024, the total loss figure is approximately $1.36 billion. MSLP borrowers recently made their second 15 percent principal payments and are facing 70 percent principal balloon payments starting later this year as well as variable loan interest rates that have increased significantly since loan origination. These are contributing factors to 1 See CARES Act § 4018(c)(1) 2 Borrowers whose direct loans are currently in default are Aero Hydraulics, Inc.; Caribbean Sun Airlines, Inc.; Elite Airways, LLC; Island Wings, Inc.; Legacy Airways, LLC; Meridian Rapid Defense Group, LLC; oVio Technologies, Inc.; Timco Engine Center, Inc.; and Visual Semantics, Inc. SPECIAL INSPECTOR GENERAL | PANDEMIC RECOVERY 3 the MSLP’s high loan loss allowance, which indicates that the program may experience approximately $624 million in additional loan losses by program’s end. These factors, in addition to expected increases in program support costs over the next year and over $1 billion in interest Treasury has paid as part of its participation in the MSLP, cast doubt on whether Treasury will be made whole on its MSLP investment. Main Street Lending Program Loan Losses Increasing as SIGPR Approaches its Sunset Source: SIGPR. Data is as of 12/31/2024. REPORT TO CONGRESS | OCTOBER – DECEMBER 2024 4 Investigations The Office of Investigations (OI) conducts criminal and civil investigations regarding allegations of fraud, waste, abuse, or misconduct involving CARES Act funds and programs within SIGPR’s jurisdiction. In addition, OI manages SIGPR’s hotline, which serves as a primary avenue for reporting fraud, waste, abuse, or misconduct. SIGPR’s first special agent was not onboarded until late December 2020, six months after Brian Miller was appointed as the Special Inspector General, because of statutory authority challenges to hire special agents imposed by the Department of Treasury. Despite these challenges, OI was able to hire a highly skilled staff that has been very productive. Currently, as MSLP loan defaults rise at an alarming rate, SIGPR faces the reality of its sunset date in March 2025. To date, OI’s successes include: 39 federal indictments, 27 criminal informations, 49 arrests, 30 guilty pleas, five sentencings, more than $138.7 million in court ordered restitution, over $11.4 million in seizure/forfeiture orders, a $350,000 civil settlement, over $36.8 million in recoveries, resulting in more than $187 million in total investigative outcomes. SIGPR’s overall funding from inception (March 2020) to date was $62 million, bringing OI’s return on investment to 300%. Investigative Activities OI routinely collaborates with the entire SIGPR team, including auditors, analysts, and attorneys to vet complaints, develop proactive initiatives, and pursue investigations. SIGPR’s investigations are conducted in partnership with various U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). Additionally, OI continues its partnership-building efforts with other law enforcement agencies. OI participates in task forces and working groups throughout the federal law enforcement and Inspector General communities, including the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee’s (PRAC) Fraud Task Force, the DOJ COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force, and the DOJ COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Strike Forces. Current Reporting Period During this reporting period, SIGPR continued its investigative and proactive efforts to uncover and vigorously pursue fraud and wrongdoing related to CARES Act funding under Title IV, Subtitle A. The following table highlights SIGPR’s investigative activity as it relates to the various CARES Act programs. SPECIAL INSPECTOR GENERAL | PANDEMIC RECOVERY 5 SIGPR Investigative Activity – October 1, 2024, through December 30, 2024 Hotline Complaints Hotline Complaints Received 106 Referrals to Other Agencies 20 Preliminary Inquiries Opened 0 Closed 3 Converted to Full Investigation 1 Ongoing 4 Investigations* Opened 3 Closed 0 Ongoing 38 Criminal Actions † Referrals to the Department of Justice 1 Referrals to State/Local Prosecuting Authorities 0 Indictments/Informations 9 Arrests/Summons 3 Convictions/Pleas 12 Sentencings 1 Civil Actions † Referrals to the Department of Justice 0 Civil Judgments/Settlements 0 Other Enforcement Actions IG Subpoenas Issued 3 Suspension/Debarment Recommendations 0 Administrative Suspension 2 Administrative Debarment 0 Investigative Monetary Results † Funds Seized/Forfeitures $17,559,118 Restitution Ordered $109,654,891 Fines and Penalties 0 Civil Judgments/Settlements 0 Recoveries 0 * Includes all SIGPR program-related cases, including PRAC Fraud Task Force investigations and joint investigations with other agencies. † Includes all SIGPR actions reported, including those resulting from PRAC Fraud Task Force investigations and joint investigations with other agencies. REPORT TO CONGRESS | OCTOBER – DECEMBER 2024 6 Casework Highlights Throughout the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, OI continued to expand its investigative oversight work through SIGPR’s collaborative and proactive efforts as exhibited below. South Florida Telecom Company and its CEO pled guilty for Defrauding Federal Government Programs A Florida man and his company were arraigned in federal court in connection with a multi-year scheme to steal over $100 million from a celebrated federal program providing discounted cell phone service to people in need. Both were charged with conspiring to commit wire fraud and steal government money, as well as conspiring to defraud the United States. The individual was also charged with money laundering. The defendant and his company allegedly schemed to defraud the FCC’s Lifeline program. Lifeline makes basic communications services more affordable for low-income consumers. It provides subscribers a deep discount on qualifying monthly cellphone service, broadband Internet service, or bundled voice-broadband packages purchased from participating telecommunications providers. The discount helps ensure that low-income consumers can afford 21st century connectivity services and the access they provide to jobs, healthcare, and educational resources. The man also allegedly defrauded the SBA Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) by making false statements about his business. The man, in his company’s name, executed a fraudulent scheme to obtain, and keep, PPP proceeds. To further the scheme, he made false statements about his business, including a false claim that his business reimbursements substantially decreased because of the pandemic. The man spent PPP loan proceeds overseas, and on a Land Rover payment, his personal Amex card, jewelry, and personal property. Southern District of Florida | Nationwide Telecommunications Provider and its CEO Plead Guilty to Massively Defrauding Federal Government Programs Meant to Aid the Needy | United States Department of Justice SPECIAL INSPECTOR GENERAL | PANDEMIC RECOVERY 7 Co-Founder of Paycheck Protection Program Lender Service Provider Charged for COVID-19 Relief Fraud Scheme Two co-founders of a PPP lender service provider were indicted and arrested, another associate pled guilty to related charges for their alleged participation in a scheme to obtain, through multiple fraudulent loan applications, COVID-19 relief money guaranteed by the SBA through the PPP under the CARES Act. They allegedly submitted false and fraudulent PPP loan applications on behalf of themselves and their businesses, including by fabricating documents that they submitted in their loan applications to receive loan funds for which they were not eligible. They also purportedly assisted small businesses and individuals in obtaining PPP loans. In order to obtain larger loans for certain PPP applicants, they and other coconspirators fabricated documents, including payroll records, tax documentation, and bank statements. The scheme also charged borrowers kickbacks based on a percentage of the funds received, despite knowing that borrowers were prohibited from using PPP loan proceeds to make such payments. As part of the scheme, they and others expanded the company’s operations through lender service provider agreements (LSPAs) with two lenders. Under the LSPAs, their company collected and reviewed PPP applications from potential borrowers on behalf of the lenders and worked with the lenders to submit applications to the SBA in exchange for a percentage of the fees the SBA paid to the lenders for approved PPP loans. The two co-founders and their coconspirators submitted and caused to be submitted PPP loan applications that they knew contained materially false information to make more money. As further alleged in the indictment, the two co-founders and their coconspirators also made money through their company program called “VIPPP” in which they had a personalized service to help potential borrowers complete PPP loan applications. They recruited coconspirators to work as VIPPP referral agents and coach borrowers on how to submit false PPP loan applications. In order to obtain a greater volume of kickbacks from borrowers and fees from the SBA, they and their coconspirators submitted PPP loan applications that they knew contained materially false information. Justice Department | Co-Founders of Paycheck Protection Program Lender Service Provider Charged for COVID-19 Relief Fraud Scheme REPORT TO CONGRESS | OCTOBER – DECEMBER 2024 8 Two Individuals pled guilty in $53 Million Fraud Scheme involving Pandemic Relief Programs Two individuals pled guilty for cheating the SBA PPP, a COVID-era financial program, and numerous financial institutions out of more than $53 million in loan proceeds. In June/July 2023, 15 defendants were arrested in Texas, California, and Oklahoma by special agents of SIGPR, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Office of Inspector General (FDIC-OIG), and the FBI. According to a series of indictments, several of the charged defendants purportedly operated a group of affiliated recycling companies. They allegedly submitted at least 29 PPP loan applications that falsified payroll expenses, altered both bank statements and Internal Revenue Service tax forms to falsely inflate business income. They then routed PPP loan funds through a series of bank accounts to create a false paper trail of payroll expenses. At least two of the defendants also allegedly submitted false applications to financial institutions on behalf of their purported recycling companies to fraudulently obtain, in the aggregate, millions of dollars in business loan proceeds. And one defendant allegedly lied to the Federal Deposit Insurance Commission (FDIC) by stating that he did not know several of his other alleged coconspirators. Six Defendants Plead Guilty in Virginia to Federal Pandemic Unemployment Benefit Scheme This quarter, 6 defendants pled guilty to fraud charges related to CARES Act funding. The defendants entered guilty pleas to one count of conspiring to defraud the United States in connection with emergency benefits. In May 2024, 17 defendants were indicted and arrested for conspiring to defraud the United States, commit program fraud, and commit mail fraud in connection to a scheme involving the filing of fraudulent claims for pandemic unemployment benefits. Between March 2020 and September 2021, these defendants conspired to file fraudulent claims and recertifications for pandemic unemployment benefits via the Virginia Employment Commission website while they were incarcerated in jails throughout the Western District of Virginia and, due to their incarceration status, were ineligible for pandemic unemployment benefits. Western District of Virginia | Six More Defendants Plead Guilty in Federal Pandemic Unemployment Benefit Scheme | United States Department of Justice SPECIAL INSPECTOR GENERAL | PANDEMIC RECOVERY 9 Suspension and Debarment Activity Suspension or debarment of an organization or individual excludes that company or individual from doing business with the Federal Government. These exclusions are intended to ensure that only responsible companies or individuals participate in contracts and financial assistance awards with the Federal Government. A suspension temporarily disqualifies the entity; a debarment disqualifies the entity for a fixed period. SIGPR has a suspension and debarment referral process when there are indicating acts, events, or conditions that could serve as the basis for suspension or debarment of a business or individual. This referral process is used for the purpose of protecting the interests of the government, and not for punishment. SIGPR’s process involves sending a formal memorandum to Treasury’s Suspension and Debarment Office (SDO) for consideration. Currently, SIGPR has forwarded 22 referrals to SDO, two 2 were suspended this quarter, while the remaining referrals are being considered for action. PRAC Fraud Task Force In January 2021, the PRAC established a Fraud Task Force to serve as a resource for the Inspector General community by surging investigative resources into the areas of greatest need. The PRAC Task Force brings together agents from 16 Offices of Inspectors General to investigate fraud involving a variety of programs, including the PPP. Special agents who are detailed to the PRAC Task Force receive expanded authority to investigate pandemic fraud as well as tools and training to support their investigations. These special agents have partnered with prosecutors at DOJ’s Fraud Section and at United States Attorneys’ Offices across the country. Due to the large scale of CARES Act related fraud, the PRAC extended its authority to SIGPR to investigate additional pandemic-related fraud through a Memorandum of Understanding. Currently, SIGPR has five special agents assigned to the PRAC Fraud Task Force on a part-time basis. These special agents are assigned CARES Act (PPP/EIDL/UI) related cases while continuing to work their SIGPR investigative caseloads (MSLP/Direct Loans). This initiative allows SIGPR to make a broader contribution to the IG community by assisting with a range of critical investigations that might otherwise remain unstaffed. https://www.pandemicoversight.gov/ Recognition of SIGPR’s Casework 26th Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE) Annual Awards Ceremony CIGIE hosted the Federal Inspector General community’s 27th Annual Award Ceremony (CIGIE’s YouTube Channel) on November 13, 2023, at the Department of the Interior, Yates Auditorium, in Washington, DC. The event was in celebration of the very best of work conducted by the dedicated men and women of the Inspector General community in all disciplines. An Award for REPORT TO CONGRESS | OCTOBER – DECEMBER 2024 10 Excellence (team award) was presented for the Bull Run Capital Investments LLC investigation. The team was recognized for its outstanding collaboration by a multidisciplinary investigative team of a financial analyst, a paralegal specialist, investigators, and attorneys resulting in the prosecution of Bennie Magee and Michael Gilcher. This was a joint investigation involving the Criminal and Civil Assistant United States Attorneys from the Eastern District of Virginia, SIGPR, and the FBI. PUBLIC LAW 117–348—JAN. 5, 2023 ‘‘Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2022’’ In compliance with the reporting requirements to Congress by this law, SIGPR had no reportable activity relating to complaints of human trafficking or any related investigations. EXECUTIVE ORDER 14074 - Advancing Effective, Accountable Policing and Criminal Justice Practices to Enhance Public Trust and Public Safety - ‘‘No Knock Entries’’ In compliance with the reporting requirements in this Executive Order, SIGPR had no reportable activity relating to no-knock entries. SIGPR Hotline Activity The SIGPR hotline accepts reports of potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement related to CARES Act funding, programs, and personnel. The hotline also accepts whistleblower complaints from federal employees, former federal employees, employment applicants, employees of contractors, subcontractors, grantees and subgrantees, and personal service contractors who wish to report fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement, or reprisal actions under the jurisdiction of SIGPR. During this reporting period, SIGPR received 106 hotline complaints, of which the majority pertained to matters outside SIGPR’s jurisdiction, as indicated in the table and chart below. Complaints by Category Received October 2024 through December 2024 Category Total Title I – Paycheck Protection Program 7 Title IV, Subtitle A — Loans and Investments 0 Title IV, Subtitle A — (13(3) Facilities (MSLP) 0 Title IV, Subtitle B — Payroll Support Program 0 Title V – Coronavirus Relief Fund 10 Multiple CARES Act Programs 6 Economic Impact Payments 1 Unemployment Insurance Programs 1 Rental and Housing Assistance Programs 6 Emergency Income Disaster Loans 2 Income Tax Related 0 Social Security Benefits 12 Financial Institution Related 2 Non-Program Related 59 Grand Total 106 SPECIAL INSPECTOR GENERAL | PANDEMIC RECOVERY 11 REPORT TO CONGRESS | OCTOBER – DECEMBER 2024 12 SECTION 2 FINDINGS AND DEVELOPMENTS The CARES Act requires SIGPR to regularly report “a detailed statement of all loans, loan guarantees, other transactions, obligations, expenditures, and revenues associated with any program established by the Secretary of the Treasury under section 4003, as well as the information collected under subsection (c)(1).”3 Accordingly, below are the categories of loans and other investments made by Treasury under CARES Act section 4003,4 including, where applicable and known, a list of the loans and investments made under each category and the eligible businesses to which loans were made. Direct Loans and Other Investments Introduction CARES Act section 4003(a) authorized the Secretary of the Treasury “to make loans, loan guarantees, and other investments in support of eligible businesses, States, and municipalities that do not, in the aggregate, exceed $500,000,000,000.” The CARES Act further divided these loans and investments into four categories. The first three, described in sections 4003(b)(1)–(3), cover loans and loan guarantees to passenger air carriers and related businesses ($25 billion), cargo air carriers ($4 billion), 3 CARES Act § 4018(f)(1)(B) 4 Treasury did not establish a program for “loan guarantees” under CARES Act section 4003. 13 SPECIAL INSPECTOR GENERAL | PANDEMIC RECOVERY FINDINGS AND DEVELOPMENTS and businesses critical to maintaining national security ($17 billion).5 The fourth category, described in section 4003(b)(4), authorized the Secretary to invest in various liquidity programs established by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System under section 13(3) of the Federal Reserve Act ($454 billion). The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, amended the CARES Act to rescind unobligated balances of funds ($429 billion) in these programs.6 It also specified that after December 31, 2020, the Federal Reserve “shall not make any loan, purchase any obligation, asset, security, or other interest, or make any extension of credit” through the liquidity programs or facilities in which Treasury had invested CARES Act funds, except for facilities in the MSLP, that were authorized to purchase loans until January 8, 2021, for applications submitted by December 14, 2020.7 Direct Loans On March 30, 2020, Treasury first announced guidelines for businesses interested in applying for loans under CARES Act section 4003(b)(1)–(3).8 Those guidelines incorporated several mandatory loan terms and conditions, with many designed to protect American taxpayers. A summary of these terms and conditions can be accessed in SIGPR’s previous quarterly reports. Air Carrier Loan Program CARES Act section 4003(b)(1)–(2) allocated $25 billion for loans and loan guarantees to passenger air carriers, aviation-maintenance facilities certified under 14 C.F.R. Part 145, and air-transportation ticket agents, as well as $4 billion for cargo air carriers. National Security Loan Program CARES Act section 4003(b)(3) allocated $17 billion for loans and loan guarantees to “businesses critical to maintaining national security.” Outstanding and repaid loans as of this quarter underTreasury’s Directloanprogram are reported on Treasury’s website.9 5 Treasury has posted on its website the contracts it has entered in connection with the administration of loans under section 4003(b)(1), (2), and (3). See U.S. Department of the Treasury, Other Programs, https://home.treasury.gov/data/other-programs 6 See Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, Pub. L. 116-260, div. N §§ 1003, 1005 7 Id. § 1005. 8 U.S. Department of the Treasury, Procedures and Minimum Requirements for Loans to Air Carriers and Eligible Businesses and National Security Businesses under Division A, Title IV, Subtitle A of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (Mar. 30, 2020), https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/Procedures and Minimum Requirements for Loans.pdf., 9 See U.S. Department of the Treasury, Report Under Section 4026(b)(1)(C) of the CARES Act on Loans to Air Carriers, Eligible Businesses, and National Security Businesses (Dec. 1, 2024) https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/4026b1CLoanReport12012024.pdf ; see also U.S. Department of the Treasury, Loans to Air Carriers, Eligible Businesses, and National Security Businesses, 4003 Loan Program | U.S. Department of the Treasury (last updated Jan. 21, 2021). REPORT TO CONGRESS | OCTOBER – DECEMBER 2024 14 FINDINGS AND DEVELOPMENTS Other Investments CARES Act section 4003(b)(4) allocated at least $454 billion for “loans and loan guarantees to, and other investments in, programs or facilities established by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System for the purpose of providing liquidity to the financial system that supports lending to eligible businesses, States, or municipalities” by “purchasing obligations or other interests” directly from the issuer or through secondary markets, and “making loans, including loans or other advances secured by collateral.”10 The Federal Reserve established several liquidity programs (facilities) pursuant to section 13(3) of the Federal Reserve Act.11 That provision, used extensively during the 2008 financial crisis and amended by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act,12 allows the Federal Reserve to lend money in “unusual and exigent circumstances” to participants in “any program or facility with broad- based eligibility” who are “unable to secure adequate credit accommodations from other banking institutions.”13 The Federal Reserve Board was required to consult with the Secretary of the Treasury prior to the Federal Reserve Board’s 2015 issuance of its regulations governing emergency lending under section 13(3) of the Federal Reserve Act.14 The Federal Reserve may not establish any emergency lending program under section 13(3) without prior approval of the Secretary of the Treasury.15 Of note, as of December 31, 2024, MS Facilities, LLC—a special-purpose vehicle (SPV) jointly formed by Treasury and the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston to operate the MSLP—has recognized approximately $1.36 billion in actual loan losses, net of subsequent recoveries.16 More than $1 billion of these losses have occurred since the beginning of calendar year 2023. Nonetheless, the Federal Reserve Board reports that “the Board continues to expect that the MSLP will not result in losses to the Federal Reserve.”17 In addition, an evaluation of loan participations purchased by the MS Facilities, LLC resulted in a reported loan loss allowance in the amount of $623 million.18 The allowance for loan losses is estimated based upon MS Facilities, LLC’s holdings as of September 30, 2024.19 These facilities have stopped extending loans or purchasing obligations. Additional details for the facilities 10 CARES Act § 4003(b)(4)(A)–(C). 11 See 12 U.S.C. § 343(3). 12 Pub. L. 111-203, 124 Stat. 1375. 13 12 U.S.C. § 343(3)(A); see also 12 C.F.R. § 201.4(d). 14 12 U.S.C. § 343(3)(B)(i). 15 12 U.S.C. § 343(3)(B)(iv). 16 See Bd. of Governors of the Fed. Reserve Sys., Periodic Report: Update on Outstanding Lending Facilities Authorized by the Board under Section 13(3) of the Federal Reserve Act, 3 n.3. (Jan. 10, 2025) https://www.federalreserve.gov/publications/files/13-3-report-20250113.pdf Beginning in February of 2024, the Board of Governors changed the name of the category “loan losses” to “credit losses” in its monthly report to Congress. 17 See id. 18 See id. 19 See id. SPECIAL INSPECTOR GENERAL | PANDEMIC RECOVERY 15 FINDINGS AND DEVELOPMENTS are available on the Federal Reserve’s website.20 The Federal Reserve has indicated that because the MSLP ceased purchasing participations on January 8, 2021, it will not provide additional transaction- specific disclosures about the MSLP on a periodic basis going forward. The following table summarizes the total amount of remaining CARES Act funds that Treasury invested in MS Facilities, LLC and other SPVs created in conjunction with other lending programs as of December 31, 2024.21 Treasury Investment Remaining as of Recipient December 31, 2024 MS Facilities, LLC $3,823,742,390.03 TALF II, LLC $0.00 Corporate Credit Facilities, LLC $0.00 Municipal Liquidity Facility, LLC $0.00 The SPVs have returned the following amounts to Treasury as of December 31, 2023. Recipient Investment Returned to Treasury as of December 31, 2024 MS Facilities, LLC $34,039,336,592.89 TALF II, LLC $10,088,897,074.20 Corporate Credit Facilities, LLC $37,980,215,713.55 Municipal Liquidity Facility, LLC $17,836,181,319.51 20 See id. 21 Jason E. Morrow, Senior Counsel, Office of General Counsel, U.S. Department of the Treasury, response to Vincent Mulloy, Special Counsel, Office of General Counsel, SIGPR, Treasury (Jan. 28, 2025) (on file with SIGPR). REPORT TO CONGRESS | OCTOBER – DECEMBER 2024 16 HELP FIGHT FRAUD, WASTE, AND ABUSE BY EMAIL: hotline@sigpr.gov BY PHONE: 202-927-7899 www.sigpr.gov
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