CIE Tours International Inc., Paycheck Protection Program Fraud, New Jersey 2024

NEWARK, N.J. – In a shocking revelation, Morris County-based tour company CIE Tours International Inc. has entered into a settlement agreement with the United States, resolving allegations that the company violated the False Claims Act by applying for and receiving two loans from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) for which the company was not eligible.

According to the allegations in the complaint and the contentions of the United States contained in the settlement agreement, Congress created the PPP in March 2020, as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, to provide emergency financial support to the millions of Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act authorized billions of dollars in forgivable loans to small businesses struggling to pay employees and other business expenses.

CIE Tours International Inc., a company owned by the government of Ireland, applied for and received two PPP loans totaling $3,410,300 even though it was ineligible for the loans. CIE Tours then sought and received forgiveness of the total amount of the loans.

CIE Tours fully cooperated in the investigation and resolution of this matter. In accordance with the terms of the settlement, CIE Tours agrees to pay the United States $4,428,985.04.

The settlement resolves a lawsuit filed under the whistleblower provision of the False Claims Act, which permits private parties, called relators, to file suit on behalf of the United States for false claims and share in a portion of the government’s recovery. In this matter, Relator is receiving $428,985 as his share in the recovery.

CIE Tours International Inc. is a Morris County-based tour company owned by the government of Ireland. The company is accused of violating the False Claims Act by applying for and receiving two PPP loans for which it was not eligible.

The case is captioned US ex rel. TZAC, Inc., v. CIE TOURS INTERNATIONAL, 24-cv-009637 (D.N.J.).

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