Niagara Falls Man Admits $1.8M COVID Relief Scam

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Roberto Soliman, 43, of Niagara Falls, isn’t just facing a bad review – he’s facing decades in federal prison. The man pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit wire and bank fraud, admitting to a brazen scheme that pilfered over $1.8 million from COVID-19 relief programs. U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced the guilty plea, delivered before Judge Meredith A. Vacca.

The scheme, cooked up with co-defendant John Hutchins, ran from March 2020 to March 2024. Soliman and Hutchins allegedly filed bogus loan applications for programs meant to keep businesses afloat during the pandemic: the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL), the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), and the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG). These weren’t just requests for help; they were outright lies designed to siphon emergency funds intended for legitimate struggling businesses, all stemming from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

The pair used a stable of shell companies owned by Hutchins – and one directly by Soliman – to apply for the fraudulent loans. Those companies included Rapids Theatre Niagara Falls, USA, Inc., 1711 Main, LLC, Bear Creek Entertainment, LLC, Hutch Enterprises, LLC, The Hutchins Agency, LLC, and CWE Entertainment, Corp. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul E. Bonanno and Douglas A. C. Penrose detailed how Soliman and Hutchins fabricated revenue and expense figures on each application, painting a false picture of financial need. The hustle wasn’t subtle.

The payoff? A cool $779,500 in five Economic Injury Disaster Loans between March and August 2020. They also snagged $989,905.05 in Shuttered Venue Operators Grants, a $74,838 PPP loan from Bank on Buffalo, and another $41,140 PPP loan from Northwest Bank. That adds up to $1,893,433.05 in fraudulently obtained funds. Hutchins already copped a plea and is cooling his heels awaiting sentencing.

Federal investigators from the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the New York State Office of Professional Discipline brought the house of cards tumbling down. Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Mark Grimm of the FBI and Special Agent-in-Charge Harry Chavis of the IRS led the investigation, along with Rose Brophy, Director of Field Operations for CBP. Soliman now faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.

Judge Vacca scheduled sentencing for October 29, 2025. Soliman’s legal team hasn’t released a statement. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it moves toward resolution, exposing the individuals who prey on crisis for personal gain. # # # #

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