JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Scott Allen Maples, 39, of Kingdom City, Missouri, is facing serious time after admitting to a brazen scheme to defraud the federal government out of $673,127 in CARES Act loan programs. The business owner pleaded guilty today to one count of bank fraud in federal court, abandoning his right to a grand jury indictment.
According to court documents, Maples systematically falsified applications for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans across multiple businesses, inflating payroll figures and fabricating financial records. He wasn’t just tweaking the numbers; authorities say he submitted altered bank statements and completely made-up tax forms to Square, Inc. and US Bank, all in a bid to snag government funds intended to keep legitimate businesses afloat during the pandemic.
The scheme involved multiple applications for Area 23, LLC alone. Maples claimed 21 employees and a monthly payroll of $69,548 in two separate applications to Square and US Bank, both backed by bogus documentation. He walked away with a combined $347,744 from those two applications. He also secured a $51,750 loan for Maples Enterprises, falsely reporting six employees and a $20,700 monthly payroll when, in reality, the Department of Labor shows only one employee was ever on the books. Another business, Clearance Depot, received a $270,632 loan based on similarly doctored statements.
Maples wasn’t content with just PPP loans. He also applied for a $30,000 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL), exaggerating prior year revenues. While the full loan wasn’t issued, he did manage to pocket a $3,000 advance. In total, Maples successfully pilfered $673,127, funds he’s now obligated to return as restitution and forfeit to the government. The feds aren’t letting him off easy; they’re demanding the full amount back.
Now, Maples is looking at up to 30 years in federal prison without parole. While the maximum sentence is set by Congress, the final decision rests with the judge, who will consider sentencing guidelines and other factors. A sentencing hearing is pending completion of a presentence investigation report by the United States Probation Office. This case was spearheaded by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren E. Kummerer, with investigations conducted by the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, FDIC Office of Inspector General, and IRS-Criminal Investigation.
This isn’t just about stolen money; it’s about a betrayal of trust. While businesses were genuinely struggling, Maples was allegedly lining his pockets with funds meant to provide relief. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the sentencing as it develops.
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Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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