A Kissimmee man has pleaded guilty to wire fraud charges related to COVID relief fraud.
Levelle Joseph Harris, 36, of Kissimmee, Florida, pleaded guilty to 14 counts of wire fraud in connection with his scheme to defraud the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
According to court records, Harris applied for 14 PPP loans between May 27, 2020, and June 2, 2021, using false information. He electronically submitted applications for the PPP loans over the internet, made false representations on his PPP applications, and received proceeds from the loans through wire transfers over the internet.
Harris also provided fake supporting documentation for his loan applications. Once his fraudulent applications were approved, he received over $1 million in internet wire transfers that were supposed to be used to cover payroll, fixed debts, utilities, rent/mortgage, accounts payable and other bills. Instead, Harris used the money for his personal expenses.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s prosecution of fraud schemes that exploit the CARES Act relief programs. The CARES Act is a federal law enacted in March 2020, designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) provides funding to businesses through PPP loans for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. PPP allows the interest and principal on loans to be forgiven if the business spends proceeds on certain expense items within a designated time and uses a certain percentage of the loan on payroll expenses.
The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Nowalk.
Harris faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine on each count. He had been indicted on June 7, 2022.
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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