Political Consultant In Florida Arrested, Charged With PPP Fraud
According to a report from the Florida Record, a political consultant from Brevard County has been arrested and charged with fraud in connection with an alleged improper PPP loan. Robert Burns—the owner of a Florida company called the Space Coast Rocket—faces charges for allegedly providing false information to the government to obtain a PPP loan. Within this article, our Orlando white collar crimes attorney discusses the allegations and the charges in more detail.
The Allegations: PPP Fraud
The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) was a government initiative established by the CARES Act in March 2020 to help businesses, self-employed workers, sole proprietors, non-profit entities continue paying their workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program provided forgivable loans that could cover payroll expenses to support businesses in keeping their workforce employed.
Robert Burns, a political consultant, owned and operated a local news website in Florida called the Space Coast Rocket. Mr Burns has been indicted for PPP fraud. Prosecutors contend that he submitted false PPP loan applications to fraudulently obtain over $57,000. The defendant is accused of spending on gambling and cryptocurrency, rather than using the funds for payroll as required by law. The case is part of a broader federal effort to prosecute PPP fraud. As with any other white collar criminal allegation, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
The Charge: Three Counts of Federal Wire Fraud
PPP fraud is typically prosecuted under the charge of wire fraud—which involves using electronic communications to carry out a scheme to defraud others of money or property. The broad applicability of wire fraud statutes allows federal prosecutors to address various forms of deceit that involve electronic transactions. The charge is often brought in PPP fraud cases because the loan application process and the subsequent transfer of funds was done electronically. Notably, Robert Burns is facing three counts of wire fraud. It is a federal felony criminal offense.
The Potential Penalties: Up to 30 Years in Prison and a Massive Fine
Wire fraud is a very serious federal crime. Robert Burns faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. He is also facing a maximum fine of up to $1,000,000. With that being said, most wire fraud cases that involved five figures of alleged fraud will not carry nearly that length of prison time. Still, a person convicted of federal wire fraud, regardless of the amount, can be charged with a felony and will very likely face some federal prison time if they are convicted of the offense.
Speak to Our Orlando, FL White Collar Criminal Defense Attorney Today
At The Baez Law Firm, our Orlando white collar criminal defense lawyer is a skilled, experienced, and justice-focused advocate for defendants. If you or your loved one was arrested for PPP fraud or any related offense, we are here to help protect your rights. Contact us today for a strictly private case review. We defend white collar fraud cases throughout Central Florida.
Source:
floridatoday.com/story/news/2024/04/17/brevard-political-consultant-space-coast-rocket-owner-arrested-pandemic-loan-fraud-ppp-florida/73339501007/