Memphis, TN – Five current or former IRS employees have been charged with schemes to defraud the
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program, federal
stimulus programs authorized as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES)
Act.
“The IRS employees charged in these cases allegedly abused the trust placed in them by the public,”
said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal
Division. “The Criminal Division is committed to safeguarding that public trust and protecting
pandemic relief programs for the American people.”
“This matter demonstrates the brazenness with which bad actors have taken advantage of federal
programs meant to help those who suffered most from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Director for
COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Kevin Chambers. “The Justice Department will continue to work hard to
root out PPP and EIDL Program fraud, including that committed by government employees.”
According to court documents, the defendants allegedly obtained funds under the PPP and EIDL
Program by submitting false and fraudulent loan applications that collectively sought over $1
million. They then used the loan funds for purposes not authorized by the PPP or EIDL Program, but
instead for cars, luxury goods, and personal travel, including trips to Las Vegas.
“These individuals – acting out of pure greed – abused their positions by taking…
