Grimy Times

Ameet Goyal, Healthcare Fraud, New York 2020

Published June 24, 2020

Ophthalmologist Charged with Defrauding SBA Program

Ameet Goyal, a 53-year-old ophthalmologist from Rye, New York, has been charged with defrauding the Small Business Administration's (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Goyal, who was previously indicted in November 2019 for healthcare fraud offenses, allegedly submitted false applications to the SBA and a financial institution in New York, claiming he was not subject to any pending indictment. He also misrepresented the number of businesses he owned, applying for two separate loans totaling over $630,000.

According to the Superseding Indictment filed today in White Plains federal court, Goyal was aware that applicants with pending criminal charges are ineligible for PPP loans. Despite this, he made false representations on his loan applications to obtain the funds.

The CARES Act, a federal law enacted on March 29, 2020, provided emergency financial assistance to Americans affected by the pandemic. The SBA's PPP was designed to provide forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and other expenses.

Goyal's actions allegedly looted federal funds intended for legitimate small businesses in dire financial straits. He will be arraigned on June 26 in White Plains federal court before U.S. District Judge Cathy Seibel.

The indictment charges Goyal with fraudulently obtaining Government-guaranteed loans intended to help small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic while he was on pretrial release.

Mandatory Facts:

Defendant/Respondent: Ameet Goyal, M.D., an ophthalmologist in Rye, New York

Criminal Charges: fraudulently obtaining Government-guaranteed loans intended to help small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic while on pretrial release

City and State: Rye, New York

Exact Date: April 2020

Sentence or Outcome: Currently pending arraignment

Dollar Amounts: $630,000 in federal funds allegedly looted by Goyal

About the CARES Act:

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, a federal law enacted on March 29, 2020, provided emergency financial assistance to Americans affected by the pandemic. The SBA's PPP was designed to provide forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and other expenses.

About the Paycheck Protection Program:

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is a forgivable loan program designed to provide financial assistance to small businesses affected by the pandemic. The program was administered by the SBA and provided loans to eligible businesses for job retention and other expenses.

Key Facts

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Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/ophthalmologist-previously-charged-healthcare-fraud-indicted-defrauding-sba-program