Michigan Man Nabbed in $3M COVID Loan Scam

DETROIT – Jabari Kadar Long, 45, of Beverly Hills, Michigan, is facing federal charges after allegedly orchestrating a brazen scheme to steal over $3 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) funds. The indictment, unsealed today, paints a picture of calculated fraud during a time of national crisis.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Long allegedly conspired with others to submit fraudulent loan applications for businesses that didn’t qualify for the aid. The scheme exploited the massive influx of federal dollars intended to keep businesses afloat during the coronavirus pandemic. Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr. announced the charges, joined by Jared Murphey, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations-Detroit, and Karen Wingerd, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations Detroit Field Office.

The indictment specifically centers around Long’s alleged application for a PPP loan under the name “Priceless Preservations Construction.” He claimed the company had 50 employees and a monthly payroll of $875,000. Federal investigators say that claim was a blatant lie. Priceless Preservations, according to the indictment, had few, if any, employees and virtually no payroll expenses. Long allegedly pocketed $2,187,000 from this single fraudulent application.

But the alleged fraud didn’t stop there. The indictment alleges Long, through his scheme, fraudulently obtained a total exceeding $3 million from both the PPP and EIDL programs. While the details of the other fraudulent applications haven’t been fully released, authorities are confident this represents the full scope of Long’s illegal activity. He is now charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, one count of wire fraud affecting a financial institution, and one count of money laundering.

Assistant United States Attorney Sara D. Woodward is prosecuting the case. The investigation is a joint effort between Homeland Security Investigations and the Internal Revenue Service, highlighting the federal government’s commitment to cracking down on pandemic-related fraud. The feds are leaving no stone unturned in their efforts to recover the stolen funds and hold those responsible accountable.

It’s crucial to remember that an indictment is not a conviction. Long is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. However, if convicted on all charges, Long could face a significant prison sentence and be forced to forfeit the ill-gotten gains. This case serves as a stark reminder that exploiting a national emergency for personal profit will not be tolerated.

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