U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida Joins DOJ Fraud Division, SBA, and SBA OIG in Surge Takedown Exceeding $245 Million in COVID-era Loan Fraud

Press release — U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida Joins DOJ Fraud Division, SBA, and SBA OIG in Surge Takedown Exceeding $245 Million in COVID-era Loan Fraud, dated 2026-09-14, issued by U.S. Attorney’s Office, Middle District of Florida.

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{"metadata":{"responseInfo":{"status":200},"resultset":{"count":"1","pagesize":20,"page":0},"executionTime":0.0048480033874511719},"results":[{"attachment":"","body":"Tampa \u2013 U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces criminal charges, pleadings, and sentencings as part of a nationwide enforcement action led by the Justice Department\u2019s National Fraud Enforcement Division, the Small Business Administration (SBA), and the SBA Office of Inspector General targeting fraud in the SBA\u2019s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)and its Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. The Middle District of Florida was a key participant in this surge effort.From June 12 to September 1, federal prosecutors across the country facilitated fraud enforcement actions spanning over 160 criminal defendants, including approximately 80 newly charged defendants, reaching approximately $245 million dollars in intended loss to America taxpayers.\u201cMiddle District of Florida prosecutors, investigators, and law enforcement partners are part of an integrated team dedicated to protecting our citizens and their hard-earned dollars from criminals,\u201d said U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe. \u201cWhen individuals set out to deliberately defraud government programs for personal gain and profit, they compromise the solvency of programs and services designed to provide critical assistance to legitimate businesses and individuals in times of need. This criminal activity will not be tolerated.\u201d\u201cPandemic load relief was meant to keep American small businesses alive during government lockdowns \u2013 not line the pockets of fraudsters,\u201d said Attorney General Todd Blanche. \u201cThe defendants charged during our summer surge allegedly fabricated businesses, submitted false payroll and revenue claims, stole identities, and concealed foreign ties on their applications \u2013 but they will now be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.\u201d\u201cThis summer surge shows what is possible when dedicated public servants across the country work together with a single purpose,\u201d said Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. \u201cOur mission is clear: protect taxpayer funds, safeguard the integrity of federal relieve programs, and deliver justice to those who exploited them. We will remain steadfast ever day \u2013 standing shoulder-to-shoulder with our partners \u2013 to identify fraud, pursue those responsible, and restore confidence in programs meant to help American small businesses thrive.\u201d\u201cToday\u2019s announcement represents the largest-ever action against perpetrators of SBA fraud, with 870,000 suspended borrowers tied to $39 billion in suspected fraudulent PPP and COVID EIDL activity. In partnership with Vice President Vance and the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, we\u2019re putting fraudsters on notice: the federal government will no longer turn a blind eye to those who stole from taxpayers and exploited programs designed to sustain small businesses during the pandemic,\u201d said SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler. \u201cWith demand letters going out to suspected fraudsters, we\u2019re also sending a clear message that they must repay their debts or face Treasury collections and possible federal law enforcement. Under this Administration, the free ride is over. We are restoring accountability, recovering taxpayer dollars, and protecting SBA programs for the legitimate small businesses they were created to serve.\u201d\u201cOperation No Doze brings a focused and coordinated approach to pursuing fraud in SBA\u2019s pandemic relief programs,\u201d said SBA Inspector General William Kirk. \u201cBy concentrating our investigative resources and working closely with SBA and our law enforcement partners, we are strengthening our ability to identify fraud, recover taxpayer funds, and hold accountable those who exploited programs created to help small businesses in a time of extraordinary need. This initiative makes clear that the passage of time does not diminish our commitment to accountability.\u201dThe following cases are being prosecuted in the Middle District of Florida as part of the national surge:\u0026nbsp;Jared Eakes\u0026nbsp;(34, Jacksonville) pleaded guilty to wire fraud and bank fraud and was sentenced to six years and six months in federal prison. He was also ordered to forfeit $7,340,742.20 and pay restitution to victims in the total amount of $5,101,200.92. According to court documents, between January 2019 and February 2020, Eakes portrayed himself as an investment advisor and stole approximately $2.7 million from victim investors\u2019 retirement and investment accounts by withdrawing the funds in cash, using investor funds to pay personal expenses, transferring investor funds to a Las Vegas-based casino company, and by engaging in unauthorized options trading in a personal brokerage account. Additionally, between March 2020 and November 2021, Eakes fraudulently obtained four PPP loans totaling $4,752,270 for different shell companies he controlled, including two of the entities involved in the scheme to defraud investors. Once he obtained the PPP loans, Eakes used the funds to engage in options trading or withdrew them in cash. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David B. Mesrobian.\u0026nbsp;The forfeiture was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Clint J. Locke.Shawn Michael Simmerer (50, Winter Haven) was sentenced to seven years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud. Simmerer and his co-conspirator, Seth Downes (31, Portland, MI), submitted fraudulent PPP loan applications on behalf of multiple companies, including Simmerer\u2019s \u201cleadership training\u201d company, claiming nonexistent employees, payroll, and falsified tax records. They obtained more than $344,000 in PPP loan proceeds and later secured forgiveness of those loans using additional false documentation. Simmerer also filed fraudulent tax returns seeking COVID-related Employee Retention Credits and Sick and Family Leave Credits, ultimately obtaining more than $680,000 in IRS refunds. Simmerer was ordered to forfeit $334,300 and pay more than $1 million in restitution. Downes received three years of probation and was ordered to forfeit $194,000 and pay more than $195,000 in restitution. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Richard Varadan and Noah P. Dorman. The forfeiture was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Nicole Andrejko.Michael Harvey (43, Tampa) has been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. According to court documents, between March and June 2020, Harvey engaged in a scheme to fraudulently obtain a PPP loan for himself and EIDL loans for his company from the SBA. Harvey caused PPP and EIDL applications to be submitted that overstated gross monthly payroll, gross monthly income, gross annual revenues, and the number of employees. These misstatements, and others, fraudulently induced the SBA and PPP lenders to fund the loans. Harvey obtained $679,487 in proceeds from his illegal scheme, which he used for his own personal enrichment, including the purchase of a home in Tampa. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ross Roberts. The forfeiture is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Suzanne Nebesky.Earlisha Louis (45, Newnan, GA) and her husband Somoza Louis (46, Newnan, GA) were sentenced to 37 months and 24 months of imprisonment, respectively, for their roles in attempting to steal more than $2 million in COVID relief funds. Additionally, the court entered a final order of forfeiture for their residence. According to court records, the Louises filed over 22 fraudulent loan applications for businesses they claimed to own and operate during the COVID pandemic. However, every application they submitted contained false information regarding the number of employees, payroll costs, and business operating expenses. Instead of using the funds for their intended purpose, the Louises spent the majority of the funds gambling at casinos and towards the purchase of a new house. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Merrilyn Hoenemeyer. The forfeiture was handled by Assistant United States Attorney James Muench.\u0026nbsp;Rashard Hutcherson (32 Wimauma), Chevell Hallback (55, Plant City), and Antonio Tinsley (47, Riverview) were each sentenced to probation for fraudulently receiving a PPP loan in the amount of $20,832. According to court records, Hutcherson, Hallback, and Tinsley were United States Postal Service employees at the time they submitted a false PPP loan application claiming to be a sole proprietor of a business. However, none of them actually owned the businesses they claimed on their applications and they spent all of the funds on personal expenses. These cases were prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Merrilyn Hoenemeyer. The forfeiture for each case was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Suzanne Nebesky.\u0026nbsp;Neil Bryant (46, Winter Haven) pleaded guilty to fraudulently receiving a $52,500 EIDL for his business BOE Entertainment. Bryant\u2019s application fraudulently claimed that BOE was a legitimate business with 12 employees, and that he would use the funds to keep his business open during the pandemic. Bryant spent the funds on paying off a car loan, paying for dental procedures, purchasing jewelry, and cash withdrawals. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Merrilyn Hoenemeyer. The forfeiture is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Suzanne Nebesky.\u0026nbsp;Raymond Carvil (61, Miami) pleaded guilty to fraudulently receiving a PPP loan in the amount of $97,500. According to court records, Carvil, with the help of others, submitted a fraudulent application for his business E \u0026amp; S Security. His application not only included false information, but also altered bank statements to make it appear his business was profitable. Once Carvil received his loan, he kicked back a portion of the funds to the co-conspirator that had helped him submit the application. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Merrilyn Hoenemeyer. The forfeiture is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Suzanne Nebesky.Edward Malone (52, Jacksonville) has been charged with two counts of wire fraud affecting a financial institution. If convicted, he faces up to 30 years in federal prison on each count.\u0026nbsp;According to court documents, Malone completed fake rental agreements in order to obtain money from the federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), a program designed to help struggling renters pay their rent during the COVID pandemic. Malone allegedly filled out nine fraudulent landlord applications directly, or through his company Rags II Riches Consulting Inc., which resulted in payment of approximately $54,100 in ERAP funds. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John Cannizzaro. The forfeiture is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Clint J. Locke.Marcus Eichelberger (47, Jacksonville), formerly a church pastor, pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud and aiding and abetting wire fraud. According to court records, between March 2021 and February 2022, Eichelberger directed another individual, who was a congregant at Eichelberger\u2019s church, to fraudulently complete and submit applications for PPP loans, purportedly on behalf of a catering business that did not exist. Eichelberger, in conjunction with the other individual, then fraudulently applied for forgiveness of the loans causing $49,999 in loss. Eichelberger and the individual retained the proceeds for their personal use. In addition, Eichelberger, in conjunction with another former church congregant, fraudulently applied for an EIDL, resulting in another $129,900 in loss. Eichelberger used the second congregant\u2019s information to fraudulently apply for an additional EIDL to which he was not entitled, leading to another $129,900 in loss. In total, Eichelberger\u2019s actions resulted in over $300,000 in loss. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelli Swaney. The assert forfeiture was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Clint Locke.\u0026nbsp;Justin Burns (36, formerly of Jacksonville) pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aiding and abetting wire fraud. Burns, in conjunction with another individual, fraudulently applied for an EIDL and an EIDL advance, purportedly on behalf of a business which did not exist. Ultimately, the EIDL was charged off by the SBA due to non-repayment, resulting in a total loss of $129,900. Burns and the individual retained the proceeds for their personal use. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelli Swaney. The assert forfeiture was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Clint Locke.\u0026nbsp;The Middle District of Florida worked with the following law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute the cases filed during the\u0026nbsp;Surge:\u0026nbsp;the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Federal Housing Finance Agency \u2013 Office of Inspector General, the Internal Revenue Service \u2013 Criminal Investigation, the U.S. Secret Service, the Small Business Administration \u2013 Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Postal Service \u2013 Office of Inspector General, the Department of Veterans Affairs - Office of Inspector General, the City of Jacksonville Office of Inspector General, and the Tampa Police Department.On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (\u201cFraud Division\u201d). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department\u2019s work to combat fraud supports President Trump\u2019s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to\u0026nbsp;eliminate\u0026nbsp;fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.\u0026nbsp;An indictment, information, or complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.Report Fraud:\u0026nbsp;Contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324), or online at\u0026nbsp;TIPS.FBI.GOV.If you are reporting cyber-enabled crime, to include online scams, email hoaxes, or other internet-enabled crimes, please submit a tip to the Internet Crime Complaint Center at\u0026nbsp;IC3.GOV.","changed":"\u003Ctime datetime=\u00222026-09-14T14:57:08-04:00\u0022\u003E1789412228\u003C\/time\u003E\n","component":[{"uuid":"544d3323-77d6-4482-917e-ff6c9b4a2fae","name":"USAO - Florida, Middle"}],"created":"\u003Ctime datetime=\u00222026-09-14T14:15:22-04:00\u0022\u003E1789409722\u003C\/time\u003E\n","date":"1789387200","image":"","number":"","teaser":"\u003Cp\u003ETampa \u2013 U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces criminal charges, pleadings, and sentencings as part of a nationwide enforcement action led by the Justice Department\u2019s National Fraud Enforcement Division, the Small Business Administration (SBA), and the SBA Office of Inspector General targeting fraud in the SBA\u2019s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)and its Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. The Middle District of Florida was a key participant in this surge effort.\u003C\/p\u003E","title":"U.S. Attorney\u2019s Office for the Middle District of Florida Joins DOJ Fraud Division, SBA, and SBA OIG in Surge Takedown Exceeding  $245 Million in COVID-era Loan Fraud","topic":[{"uuid":"6827a162-b783-4ffa-a6c2-596fc9f07e39","name":"COVID-Related Fraud"},{"uuid":"b7ce2474-26e0-427a-94c4-95dee8df26cb","name":"Disaster Fraud"},{"uuid":"77a2d846-a826-49db-a31a-c5db747e9ad3","name":"Financial Fraud"},{"uuid":"4affbb9a-7e65-46c2-acc4-c22ad80d8561","name":"Tax"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.justice.gov\/usao-mdfl\/pr\/us-attorneys-office-middle-district-florida-joins-doj-fraud-division-sba-and-sba-oig","uuid":"2b2f4b21-3c7a-4dfb-9982-eef001fff631"}]}

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