Jury Convicts Bellair Man for Covid Loan Fraud Scheme Using Deceased Former Business Partner’s Identity

Summary

A press release from USAO - Florida, Middle, published January 20, 2026, reports that a federal jury found Stephen L. Gurba of Belleair guilty of wire fraud, making a false statement to a financial institution, and aggravated identity theft. According to testimony and evidence at trial, between March and June 2020, Gurba submitted false Economic Injury Disaster Loan applications for Big Red Express Trucking, LLC and Zenith Express, LLC, using the name and forged signature of a former business partner who passed away in 2019. The release says Gurba also obtained a $955,448.75 Paycheck Protection Program loan for Big Red and used PPP proceeds at a casino. It names the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General among the investigators.

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Full text

Tampa, Florida – A federal jury has found Stephen L. Gurba (69, Belleair) guilty of wire fraud, making a false statement to a financial institution, and aggravated identity theft. Gurba faces a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment on each wire fraud count (2 counts), up to 30 years in prison on the false statement charge (one count), and a 2-year mandatory minimum term of imprisonment on each of the aggravated identity theft counts (2 counts). U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.
According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, between March and June 2020, Gurba submitted false and fraudulent Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) applications and supporting documentation on behalf of Big Red Express Trucking, LLC and Zenith Express, LLC. To obtain approval and funding for the Big Red and Zenith EIDL loans, Gurba fraudulently assumed the identity of his former business partner who passed away in 2019, listed his former business partner’s name, signature, and other means of identification on the EIDL loan applications certifying under criminal penalty that the applications were true and correct. Gurba also used his deceased business partner’s name and forged his signature on the EIDL loan authorization agreements and loan notes he submitted to the Small Business Administration (SBA). During post-loan related communications with the SBA, Gurba continued to impersonate his deceased business partner. As a result of his fraudulent scheme, Gurba induced the SBA to approve and fund the Big Red and Zenith EIDL loans.
Additionally, Gurba applied for a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan on behalf of Big Red from an SBA authorized financial institution. Gurba certified and signed under criminal penalty that all the PPP loan proceeds would be spent on payroll, mortgages, rent, or other SBA authorized expenses. In reality, Gurba used PPP proceeds at a casino, to enrich himself and family members, payoff unrelated business debts, and other impermissible expenses. As a result of Gurba’s false statement, the financial institution approved and funded a $955,448.75 PPP loan to Big Red.
This case was investigated by the Federal Housing Finance Agency – Office of Inspector General and the Small Business Administration – Office of Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Chris Poor.

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