Tampa, FL – In a shocking case of economic crime, Miles Partnership, LLC, a travel and tourism consulting company headquartered in Sarasota, Florida, has agreed to a civil settlement of $2,281,950 to resolve allegations that it improperly obtained and received forgiveness of a loan under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
GNGH2, Inc. filed a qui tam complaint in the Middle District of Florida alleging that Miles improperly obtained a second draw PPP loan for $2 million. According to the allegations in the complaint, Miles was required to file a registration statement under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) due to its work with various foreign tourism boards. The United States investigated GNGH2’s allegations with the cooperation of Miles.
The civil settlement will conclude the lawsuit filed by GNGH2 and GNGH2 will receive $207,450 as a share in the recovery. The case is a stark reminder of the importance of proper certification and compliance with PPP rules and regulations.
“The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to investigating and holding responsible those applicants who improperly obtained loans under the PPP program,” said U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. “We will continue to seek civil redress and, where appropriate, criminally prosecute those individuals and entities that obtained PPP loans to which they were not entitled.”
The investigation was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Emden, with assistance from the Small Business Administration – Office of General Counsel. Miles Partnership, LLC, a travel and tourism consulting company headquartered in Sarasota, Florida, has agreed to a civil settlement of $2,281,950.
The favorable settlement in this case is the product of enhanced efforts by federal agencies such as the Small Business Administration working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, other federal law enforcement agencies, as well as private individuals who uncover borrower misconduct to recover the lending program’s damages as well as penalties.
Defendant: Miles Partnership, LLC
Criminal Charges: Loan Forgery
City and State: Tampa, FL
Date: 2023 (no specific date mentioned)
Sentence or Outcome: $2,281,950 civil settlement
Dollar Amounts: $2 million (PPP loan), $207,450 (share in the recovery)
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Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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