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Maine PPP Fraud Defense Attorneys
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PPP Fraud Defense Lawyers in Maine
If you are facing a federal investigation for PPP fraud, now is not the time to panic and say something you may regret later.
With the struggles that many business owners encountered during the COVID-19 pandemic still taking their toll across the U.S., Maine is seeing its fair share of PPP fraud cases.
If you have been implicated, investigated or charged with a crime already, the consequences can be serious – not least of which is a felony on your record for the rest of your life as well as the possibility of a lengthy federal prison sentence.
However, with strong and experienced legal representation, we can work on a defense that delivers that best possible outcome in or out of court.
At The Maine Criminal Defense Group, our defense lawyers will work to get the charges dismissed, reduced or turned over to a civil matter or, if you are convicted, argue to mitigate the possible consequences.
Table of Contents
- What is PPP fraud?
- What are the typical PPP fraud charges?
- What should you do if you are facing federal charges for PP loan fraud?
- How a PPP fraud attorney can help
- Contact a Federal PPP Fraud Defense Lawyer in Maine Today
What is PPP Fraud?
PPP fraud charges are federal charges laid against business owners who have allegedly abused the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
This program was set up by the federal government in 2020 as a provision of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). It provided a $350 billion fund for small businesses loans to help cover expenses and help struggling businesses stay afloat.
The fund was intended to provide small businesses with the funds to pay up to eight weeks of payroll costs (including benefits) and to help with paying interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities.
As with most such programs, the eligibility requirements and spending guidelines were strict. However, the PPP program ran out of money just two weeks after its introduction, and the federal government is now facing strong calls to account for the administration of the program.
Hence, there has been a recent crackdown on the abuse of funds from the PPP by business owners.
What are the typical PPP fraud charges?
As pressures on small businesses increased during the pandemic, some small business owners took actions that were in breach of the PPP regulations and led to alleged fraudulent activity.
The following types of breaches are typically resulting in PPP fraud charges for business owners in Maine and around the country:
- Spending PPP funds on unapproved aspects of the business: Only employee pay, mortgage, rent, and utilities are covered as approved targets for PPP money. Spending on anything else is a contravention of the loan terms.
- Obtaining PPP loans from multiple lenders: Businesses are only authorized to loan PPP funds from a single lender – receiving funds from more than one lender is illegal.
- Overstating employee numbers: The amount of money a business is entitled to receive depends on payroll amounts. Falsely inflating employee numbers increases the potential loan amount, but is unlawful.
- Understating employee numbers: Funds were generally only available to small businesses with under 500 employees, so if you understated employee numbers to gain eligibility, you may be prosecuted.
- Making false statements on your application: If false or inaccurate information was provided during the application process, you could face PPP fraud charges. This can result in fines and up to two, five, or thirty years in prison (depending on whom the false statements were made to).
- Identity theft: Using another person’s identity for a PPP application is a criminal offense punishable by up to two years in prison.
Depending on the circumstances, the types of fraudulent activity outlined above can lead to one or more of the following charges:
- Major fraud against the United States: Up to a $5 million fine and up to 10 years in prison.
- Wire fraud: Fines and up to 20 years in prison.
- Bank fraud: Fines of up to $1 million and up to 30 years in prison.
- Conspiracy: If multiple people are involved in the alleged fraud.
As you can see, the types of PPP fraud charges are many and varied. While some alleged offenses are seemingly clear-cut, legitimate mistakes were made by business owners who ended up facing serious criminal charges.
Remember, fraud charges require proof of intent or “reckless disregard” (“knew or should have known”) for federal prosecutors to secure a conviction.
With the guidance and support of an experienced PPP fraud lawyer, you have a better chance of successfully defending the charges against you and avoiding the harsh penalties and a felony conviction that could follow you around for the rest of your life.
What should you do if you are facing federal charges for PPP loan fraud?
If you are flagged by federal agencies for PPP fraud, you can expect a serious investigation conducted with some urgency.
The federal government is under considerable pressure to account for the funds spent with small businesses during the pandemic, and the Department of Justice is looking for answers. Since May 2021, prosecutions for PPP fraud have continued aggressively across all states, and Maine is no exception.
The best way you can respond to charges of PPP fraud is with strong legal representation to rebut the charges. The first you may know about the investigation is after you are contacted by one of the federal agencies involved.
From this point, you should proceed very carefully. Making false statements to investigators can be serious, and you need to avoid saying anything that could implicate you in a crime.
It is advisable to contact a lawyer who has some experience in PPP fraud cases, which is easier said than done because of the recency of such cases within the criminal justice system.
How a PPP fraud attorney can help
If you contact us at The Maine Criminal Defense Group before discussing your PPP loan application with federal investigators, we can assess your potential criminal exposure and advise you on responding to any potential inquiry.
Do not simply ignore the problem and expect it to go away, as that is unlikely to happen.
We will manage communications with investigators and help prevent assets from being frozen or seized, as well as other potential negative consequences of an investigation.
Once you retain us, we immediately contact the investigator or government agent involved to ensure that they do not contact you further. All communications are channeled through us, which may also apply to financial institutions that may be holding funds belonging to you.
Depending on the circumstances and the nature of the investigation, we may also:
- Obtain loan applications and supporting documents from you to review for any errors
- Preserve relevant business documents that may support your need for the loan or confirm the use of the funds received.
- Interview the CPA, accountant, financial advisor or staff members involved in the application (if applicable).
- Consult with a forensic accountant regarding the company’s financials and the loan application.
- Identify any mitigating circumstances or reasons for mistakes and present these to government agents, investigators, or the prosecutor to attempt to resolve the matter.
If you already had assets seized or frozen, we can help you take the steps required to respond to and contest the action against you, while potentially avoiding criminal charges.
Responding through your lawyer may be able to convince prosecutors that criminal charges are not in the best interests of the government and that a civil case (with repayment of funds) is more appropriate.
You can play your part by making digital copies of your business and personal financial records to document your loan request and support your defense. Do not be tempted to destroy any evidence, as this will make criminal charges more likely, and we may need these documents to defend your case.
If you have not yet received notice from a federal agency but are concerned about compliance with the regulations for receiving money from the PPP fund, do not wait for the call. You should inform employees that if they have any concerns about your PPP application to come to you directly without fear of retaliation. Dealing with a federal whistleblower case is the last thing you need at this point.
Contact a Federal PPP Fraud Defense Lawyer in Maine Today
You should also seek legal advice if you suspect that you have inadvertently contravened any of the stipulations for receiving loans under the PPP scheme.
If you are facing charges related to PPP fraud, contact our firm directly online or call us at (207) 571-8146 to speak with an experienced Maine defense -lawyer who can help you.
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I highly recommend The Maine Criminal Defense Group. All the staff are very polite, compassionate and informative. They answered all my questions and came to the best solution for my situation. I appreciate their guidance through this tough period. Many thanks to Nathan Hitchcock, Bill Bly and the team.
Oustanding
Mr. Bill Bly and his team have been nothing short of phenomenal. They resolved my case with breakneck expertise. Would have liked to thank them in person. I am so thankful and fortunate I chose their firm. Highly recommend Bill Bly and the Maine Criminal Defense Group.
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Bill Bly did an excellent job of listening and addressing our concerns. He answered all of our questions in a timely manner and got results. I highly recommend his services!!!
A TRULY EXCELLENT ATTORNEY
I have had the honor and privilege of working with Mr. Bly who was extremely knowledgeable and thorough and whose expertise in all legal matters was truly outstanding. Mr. Bly was kind, and helpful every step of the way. I would highly recommend Mr. Bly. There can be no attorney…
William is salt of the earth
I’ve gotten to know William through numerous legal conferences and have been incredibly impressed with how serious he cares about his clients and how he is a true human who wants to take care of your future. I will always refer my clients to his firm whenever I can.
A Great Firm!
This is THE premier criminal defense firm in Maine! If any family member or friend of mine needed representation in Maine, I would have them call the Maine Criminal Defense Group! Lawyer Bill Bly and his associates are awesome. Plus Bill Bly trained at Gerry Spence’s Trial Lawyers College. That…
David W.
Changed My Opinion on Lawyers I called Bill and had a consultation. He listened intently to my case and laid out our pathway. He was straight forward, real and didn't toss me a bunch of crap. I fully expected him to fluff up the case and try to convince me…
Robert H.
THANK YOU FOR THE EXCELLENT WORK DONE ON MY CLIENT'S BEHALF Thank you very much for the excellent work performed on behalf of my client on her Maine criminal case. I appreciate the attentive service, the quality of the work and the reasonableness of your fees. As you know, part…
Ryan M.
THANK YOU ATTORNEY BLY! I WOULD TRUST ATTY BLY W/ MY LIFE ... IN FACT, I DID! There is very little in this world that scares me more than the jail cell bars being locked and knowing that I am trapped behind bars in prison. However, after a "Hit &…
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RECOMMEND YOU TO ANYONE I want to thank you for all your help. I was in a bad place when I first came to you. You really helped me through a terrible time. I would definitely recommend you to anyone that needs help. I just wanted to say thank you…
Melissa C.
WON'T HESITATE TO REFER YOU Thank you for everything you did for my son. He and I both appreciate the hard work that you put into this case. He has been able to turn his life around now this is behind him. I know that you are paid to do…
David M.
ABOVE AND BEYOND OUR EXPECTATIONS I want to thank you for everything you have done for my family. You have gone above & beyond our expectations and you are to be commended for such a solid, compelling case. You are a great attorney and an even greater person. We have…
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CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH Thank you for all your help with my OUI. When we first met I was resigned to the “fact” that I was going to be convicted of an OUI and would lose my military career over it. I must say that I was quite surprised, shocked…
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WILLINGNESS TO ASSIST IN A TIME OF NEED Thank you for all your help concerning my case. As a veteran returning from overseas service, your willingness to assist me in a time of need and when I wasn’t in a position to pay for an attorney is greatly appreciated. You…
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IN TROUBLE WITH THE LAW? If you ever find yourself caught up in the legal system. The Maine Criminal Defense Group and his staff are the ones you want to have on your side. This man will fight hard for your rights and do everything he can to make your…
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I RECOMMEND WILLIAM BLY We're glad we chose Bill for our legal needs. We found Bill to be knowledgeable, clear, and diligent. He actively managed my case and the overall outcome was the best that we could have hoped for. We would recommend Bill to others in a similar situation…
Alison R.
PHENOMENAL LAWYER The Maine Criminal Defense Group is hard working, knowledgeable, and determined when working on cases. He was pleasant and helpful throughout the entire process by answering any and all questions I may have had. His diligent work on my case, personal connections in the court systems, and professionalism…
Jerry E.
VERY HELPFUL - THANKS BILL! Bill Bly did a magnificent job collecting evidence and building leverage with the DA's office that allowed us to plead an OUI down to a lesser charge. Not only was he very knowledgeable about Maine law, but he also understood the personalities of both the…
Wade C.
PHD DOCTORAL CANDIDATE, WADE CHARNOCK Mr. Bly is a superb lawyer! He is without a doubt one of the finest criminal defense lawyers in the state of Maine. He handled my son's case with sincerity and professionalism, and the results, "All Charges Dismissed!" If you need a defense attorney, he…
Vicky L.
HIRE MR. BLY. YOU WON'T REGRET IT! I retained Mr. Bly over a year ago. I was charged with OUI and having a minor in the car. Mr. Bly was able to arrange a plea to a Driving to Endanger with no jail time and only a 30 day license…
Michael S.
I VERY MUCH RECOMMEND MR. BLY I was lucky to have contacted Mr. Bly in a matter that unfairly could have changed my life. He was very open, concerned, and committed to helping me. He answered every call promptly, never lost interest in my case, and went out of his…
Amanda F.
BOTTOM LINE RESULTS As an attorney it was clear to me that achieving a favorable disposition of an OUI charge with a difficult fact pattern would require specialized representation. Bill quickly proved this instinct correct and his nuanced and detailed understanding of and experience with the intricacies of the arrest…
John S.
MR OUT OF STATE OUI I went to Maine on a weekend vacation trip and got a little reckless. I ended up driving the wrong way on a one way street and received an oui. Now I was up against loosing my cdl, my job, and my new home I…
Thomas F.
OUI DISMISSED Feeling helpless? Bill is the person you need to contact. Never being on the other side of the law, I contacted Bill in a panic. He sensed this and actually agreed to meet me on a Saturday. Bill was extremely personable and gave me the facts that appeared…
Emma W.
Definitely Recommend My fiancé and I were visiting Kennebunk over the summer when I was stopped and arrested for OUI. I couldn't believe that this was happening. Once I got over the shock and humiliation of the arrest, my fiancé and I began searching for an attorney in southern Maine.…
Frank S.
HAPPY CLIENT I met with Bill back in June of this year for an OUI charge. When I met with Bill, he sat down with me and explained the entire court process and what to expect going forward. He didn't try and "sell me" on hiring him or make promises…
Terry L.
RECOMMENDATION Bill Bly is very professional, does his homework and he is very thorough. And his staff is the same. He and his staff returned all my phone calls and kept us abreast of the progress in our case. I highly recommend him.
Max C.
THANK YOU MR. BLY Mr. Bly assisted me with a case where I was charged with assaulting my girlfriend and my brother as well as some other people. After reading the police reports, I felt that the case was hopeless. Mr. Bly negotiated and outcome that prevented me from a…
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THANKS FOR YOUR EXCELLENT WORK Attorney Bly defended me on charges of theft and secured a not guilty after trial. Thank you for all of your hard work.
Trent Q.
LEGAL NIGHTMARE SOLVED THANKS TO BILL BLY I was in a legal nightmare, after being arrested for an Operating Under the Influence, OUI in the great State of Maine. I was previously classified as a habitual offender in another state, so this was not my first charge concerning this particular…
Fredrick D.
VERY DEDICATED ATTORNEY Bill was very dedicated to my issue and worked with me to get me the best possible outcome. Bill and his law office kept me well informed on developments on the situation and was very upfront with me, gaining my trust and confidence in his skills helping…
John Y.
JOB WELL DONE First and for most I'd like to thank you very much for sorting out the snowmobile OUI bs for me. The outcome could not have been more desirable and the process with you couldn't have been better. On a professional note I give an A+ and will…
Ava L.
Thank you for a job well done Attorney Bly handled a sensitive domestic violence charge for me in a VERY favorable fashion. Ultimately, he got the charges thrown out. I'm grateful to him and his staff for all their hard work. Ann is especially helpful and was always available to…
Ned B.
Bly- A True Professional Committed to Client Satisfaction Two years ago I was involved in a high publicity case that involved significant legal implications. This uncharacteristic life event left me overwhelmed by emotional distress and not knowing where to turn next. Through thorough research and high esteem recommendations, I contacted…
Melissa G.
WILLIAM BLY WON'T LET YOU DOWN! I will with out hesitation recommend Bill to anyone !!! He fought diligently for a year to ensure me the best results possible and to avoid trial. In the end Bill saved me my career and kept me out of jail. There is really…
Nick G.
THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR EFFORTS! My OUI and criminal speeding charges brought a great deal of stress and hardship to not only myself but my entire family. Having both of the charges against me dismissed was an absolute godsend. Once dropped, it felt as though a dark cloud…
Lisa F.
PROFESSIONAL, HONEST, AND QUICK TO REPLY Working with Attorney Bly was a pleasure - given the circumstances. He acknowledged my novelty to the courtroom and was sensitive to my case by guiding me through the process, step by step. Especially when I seemed overwhelmed and confused, anxious and uneasy, Bill…
Betty C.
SUPPORTIVE AND RESOURCEFUL It was an absolute pleasure to work with The Maine Criminal Defense Group. At the eleventh hour, I contacted him for help with a legal matter. What I originally thought would be a quick and easy case, turned into a more challenging matter. Nonetheless, given his knowledge…
Rosalinda E.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND ATTORNEY WILLIAM BLY I am delighted to write this recommendation for Attorney William Bly. Before hiring The Maine Criminal Defense Group to represent me I had worked with another lawyer which resulted in a warrant out for my arrest. Being out of state I had to thoroughly research…
Jason S.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND I found myself searching the internet hoping to find an attorney who I could trust and wouldn't just tell me what I wanted to hear. I was visiting from out of state when I was charged with an OUI as well as a refusal. I contacted Mr. Bly…
Erica L.
THANKS FOR MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN MY SON'S LIFE Bill, Thank you very much for getting back to me. My son and I want to thank you very much for the finalizing of this hard lesson learned in life's journey. I knew from the beginning that not only are you…
Theresa S.
SINCEREST GRATITUDE Mrs. Ann, I want to say thank you again to yourself and Bill again for OUTSTANDING work!! Please pass my regards to Bill. With sincere gratitude.
James C.
JC Recommends The Maine Criminal Defense Group I am very pleased with the representation I received from The Maine Criminal Defense Group. After having been charged with a very serious crime, his thoughtful and prudent strategy and diligent execution resulted in a better than expected outcome. The original charge was…
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TIRELESS AND KNOWLEDGEABLE Bill Bly saved my career in the Navy. He worked on my case for almost six months before he was able to negotiate a positive outcome. His persistence and efforts with the DA were the only things that kept my case from going to trial. He was…
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Without a doubt, choose Mr. Bly! When I was charged with an OUI, I felt that everything that I worked for went down the drain. I knew the consequences of an OUI, and it weighed heavy on my conscious. An OUI for a Naval Officer is a career killer. Having…
Warren H.
Given Me the Gift of Time Thank you for everything. You've given me the gift of time and I can't thank you enough for that.
Bryan D.
Dismissal of Driving on Suspended - Please read if you are unsure if W. Bly is the right attorney! After looking at reviews online and a brief conversation with Mr. Bly, I decided to retain him. I was charged with Driving on an out of State VA Drivers license. On…
Rick M.
Saved my career and preserved my future! Bill, thank you so much for your excellent legal representation these last few months. You gave me straight and concise answers throughout the entire process and I can't thank you enough for helping me keep my career in the U.S. Navy. Ann Dickey…
Dawn S.
DCS Recommends The Maine Criminal Defense Group Two years ago our family began living a nightmare that we could never have imagined possible. Our 18-year-old son was arrested for a serious offense he committed with a "friend." Our family was in a tailspin and we did not know where to…
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ship. Past results and testimonials are not a guarantee, warranty, or prediction of the outcome of your case, and should not be construed as such. Past results cannot guarantee future performance. Any result in a single case is not meant to create an expectation of similar results in future matters because each case involves many different factors; therefore, results will differ on a case-by-case basis. By providing certain contact information herein, you are expressly authorizing the recipient of this message to contact you via the methods of communication provided.
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