⏱ 2 min read
A retired Massachusetts State Police Sergeant, Damian Halfkenny, 54, of Boston, was sentenced for scamming a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan. In 2021, Halfkenny, who was earning $160,378 per year as a full-time Sergeant, submitted a false PPP loan application for his real estate business, claiming a monthly payroll expense of $8,488. The loan was later forgiven, but Halfkenny’s scheme was uncovered, and he was charged with wire fraud in April 2026.
Halfkenny’s sentence, handed down by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton on July 22, 2026, includes one year of probation, a $5,000 fine, and restitution of $21,333. He was also ordered to forfeit $21,333. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Wichers of the Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit.
The investigation, led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Boston Division, found that Halfkenny had provided a fabricated IRS Schedule C to support his false loan application. The U.S. Small Business Administration had issued the $21,220 PPP loan based on Halfkenny’s misrepresentations.
The sentencing of Halfkenny marks a significant outcome in the ongoing efforts to combat PPP loan fraud. The COVID-19 pandemic had led to a surge in demand for PPP loans, and with it, an increase in fraudulent activities. Law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, have been working tirelessly to identify and prosecute individuals who have exploited the program for personal gain.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Defendant: Massachusetts
- Location: MA
- Source: DOJ Press Release
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