In 2020, the Trump administration passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), establishing a $670 billion-plus business loan program to help small businesses and organizations continue paying their workers during lockdown.
While a great benefit for our nation’s citizens, many dishonest businesses saw the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) as a ticket to quick money. As a national emergency requiring fast action, oversight of PPP loan applications was scant. Applicants were allowed to self-report payroll dollars and employee numbers, opening the door for fraud.
Acts of PPP loan abuse and PPP program fraud have robbed taxpayers of billions in funds meant to keep vulnerable businesses and employees afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since September 2022, the Justice Department has been reclaiming these stolen dollars under the False Claims Act.
Report PPP Loan Fraud | Collect Your Award
Whistleblowers who report PPP fraud are of primary importance in these cases, helping bring cases of PPP fraud to light. Without adequate resources to uncover all incidents of fraud on its own, the Department of Justice relies heavily on tips from insiders to expose fraud, paying whistleblowers 15% to 30% of any recovery resulting from their information.
If you suspect your employer or business has taken advantage of the Paycheck Protection Program, you could be entitled to a significant cash whistleblower award. At Katers & Granitz, our PPP Loan Fraud Whistleblower Attorneys help whistleblowers navigate the reporting process, protect their rights, and maximize awards. Call us today for a free and confidential consultation: 800.669.7782.
Is Your Employer Guilty of PPP Loan Fraud?
Small business owners, self-employed individuals, sole proprietors, and independent contractors who have received a PPP loan by misrepresenting their identity, business size, income levels, or payroll amounts may be guilty of PPP fraud. In addition, those who spend PPP loan funds on ineligible expenses may have committed PPP fraud.
To find out whether your employer or another individual has obtained a PPP loan, you can search an online PPP loan database or contact a Katers & Granitz representative at 800.669.7782 to help you obtain that information. If the business has a PPP loan, you will then want to check that (1) the loan was obtained with truthful information and (2) the PPP funds are being spent on qualifying expenses.
Many individuals allege that PPP loan borrowers did not spend the PPP loan on payroll expenses. Generally, sixty percent of PPP loan funds must be spent on payroll expenses. The remaining 40% can be spent only on non-payroll qualifying expenses, including:
- Business mortgage interest payments
- Business rent or lease payments
- Business utility payments
- Eligible operations expenditures
- Eligible property damage costs
- Eligible supplier costs
- Eligible worker protection expenditures
Thousands of PPP loan recipients obtained their loans through fraudulent means or spent the money on ineligible items. Businesses and individuals often lied about employee numbers, income amounts, payroll amounts, and expenses on loan applications—violating the federal False Claims Act.
PPP Fraud Law Firm Assisting Whistleblowers Nationwide
Anyone with information about PPP loan waste, fraud, or abuse can be eligible to collect a PPP Fraud Whistleblower Award. Act Fast! Only the first to file can collect an award. Contact a PPP Fraud Whistleblower Lawyer now for a free, fully confidential case evaluation: 800.669.7782.
Millions Paid to PPP Loan Fraud Whistleblowers
Anyone with knowledge of fraud involving federal or state pandemic relief funds may be eligible for a False Claims Act award equaling 15-30% of any resulting settlement or judgment amount.
Blowing the whistle on PPP Fraud can seem daunting. But federal and state False Claims Acts offer numerous protections for whistleblowers who experience harassment, discrimination, job termination, demotion, or other retaliation by their employer for reporting PPP fraud.
PPP Fraud Whistleblowers increase their odds of an award and protect themselves from employer retaliation by working with an experienced PPP Fraud Whistleblower Law Firm.
PPP Loan Fraud Whistleblower Lawyers
Free, Anonymous Case Review
At Katers & Granitz, our PPP Fraud Whistleblower Attorneys help employees report fraud anonymously and privately, protecting your rights and optimizing your chance of an award. If you suspect your employer has engaged in acts of fraud involving the Payroll Protection Program, contact a whistleblower attorney as soon as possible to safeguard your rights. 800.669.7782.
Earn Cash and Support Honest Businesses
Private | Safe | Effective
If you have observed questionable practices regarding PPP loan applications, employee cuts, business expenses, or other misconduct, contact our Expert PPP Fraud Whistleblower Attorneys for a confidential, no-obligation discussion of your case. 800.669.7782.