Lobbying Firm and its Owner Ordered to Pay $400,000 for Fraudulently Obtained Paycheck Protection Program
Summary
This is an OIG news release, published on April 14, 2026, stating that the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia ordered Iseman & Associates LLC, a lobbying firm located in West Palm Beach, Florida, and its owner Vicki Iseman to pay $408,730.44 after finding that they submitted fraudulent applications for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. In March 2025, the United States filed a Complaint alleging violations of the False Claims Act (FCA) and the Financial Institutions Reform Recovery and Enforcement Act (FIRREA) by submitting false documents and falsely certifying eligibility for two PPP loans. The release states that the District Court awarded the United States summary judgment and entered judgment that included treble damages and penalties under the FCA.
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“Lobbying Firm and its Owner Ordered to Pay $400,000 for Fraudulently Obtained Paycheck Protection Program.”
Original at legacy.sba.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/2026-04-14-lobbying-firm-and-its-owner-ordered-to-pay-400-000-for-frau-918101a8da/
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OIG news release Lobbying Firm and its Owner Ordered to Pay $400,000 for Fraudulently Obtained Paycheck Protection Program Loans Published on April 14, 2026 by Office of Inspector General Click Here to Sign Up for SBA OIG Email Updates on Recent Investigative Cases, Audit Oversight Reports, and General News Click Here to View the Original U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Press Release The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia ordered Iseman & Associates LLC, a lobbying firm located in West Palm Beach, Florida, and its owner Vicki Iseman, to pay $408,730.44 after finding that they submitted fraudulent applications to obtain federally guaranteed loans through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). In March 2025, the United States filed a Complaint against Iseman & Associates and Iseman alleging that they had violated the False Claims Act (FCA) and Financial Institutions Reform Recovery and Enforcement Act (FIRREA) by submitting false documents and falsely certifying eligibility for two PPP loans. Businesses primarily engaged in lobbying or political activities were categorically ineligible to obtain PPP loans. According to the government’s complaint, Iseman & Associates and Iseman had submitted falsified tax documents and made false certifications as part of their PPP loan applications. The District Court found that the United States had shown it was entitled to judgment on the FCA and FIRREA claims asserted against the defendants and, accordingly, awarded the United States summary judgment, and entered judgment that included treble damages and penalties under the FCA. The outcome in this case was the result of a coordinated effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of General Counsel, Litigation Unit, and the U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Inspector General. The matter was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John E. Beerbower, assisted by Forensic Auditor Peter Melaragni. On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs. A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia . Case records may be found on PACER under case number 1:25-cv-450-MSN-LRV. Related programs: Pandemic Oversight, PPP
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