Orlando Couple Agrees To Pay More Than $88,000 Related To Improperly Received PPP Loan Funds

Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that Anthony and Lisa Terry have agreed to pay $88,677.62 to resolve allegations that they improperly received funds from four loans under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES), the Payroll Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits and Venues Act (Economic Aid Act).

This settlement resolves liability related to two PPP loans issued to Anthony Terry and two PPP loans issued to Lisa Terry. According to the settlement agreement, from June 2020 through April 2022, the Terrys received four PPP loans totaling over $81,000, despite their ineligibility for such loans or forgiveness because the Terrys are individuals and not small businesses. Upon being contacted by the United States, the Terrys cooperated with the investigation.   

The United States became aware of the Terrys’ loans during an investigation in a prior criminal case, where a former tax preparer was sentenced to federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in a scheme to defraud the United States of COVID-related disaster loan proceeds. The defendants in that criminal case admitted they had devised a scheme to solicit others to fraudulently apply for PPP loans the CARES Act provided.

“The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to investigating and holding responsible those who failed to follow the rules of the PPP program,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe for the Middle District of Florida. “We will continue to investigate and pursue and, where appropriate, federally prosecute those individuals and entities that engage in improper uses of PPP loan proceeds.”

The resolution obtained in this case was the result of a coordinated effort by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida and the Small Business Administration. The matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy Bloor, with assistance from the Small Business Administration, Office of General Counsel.

The civil claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination or admission of liability.

Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud affecting COVID-19 government relief programs can be reported by visiting the webpage of the Civil Division’s Fraud Section. Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can also report it by using the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.