Shane Spierdowis, Wire Fraud, Massachusetts 2023

A Hull man has been slapped with a serious crime in connection with submitting fake documents to get COVID-19 relief loans. Shane Spierdowis, 30, was arrested today on a charge of wire fraud in relation to allegedly submitting false Social Security numbers and fake documentation to receive CARES Act small business loans.

According to charging documents, Spierdowis used fake Social Security numbers and false documents to apply for federally-funded Small Business Administration (SBA) loans issued in connection with the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). He received an SBA Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan of $101,517 in the name of a Limited Liability Company (LLC), which was wired to a bank in Massachusetts. In connection with this loan, Spierdowis provided a fake corporate bank statement showing a balance exceeding $220,000, which was dated before the bank account was ever opened.

Spierdowis allegedly obtained another SBA Economic Injury Disaster loan (EIDL) of $89,900 in connection with a separate LLC. He used Social Security numbers that differ from his actual Social Security number to submit the loan application. Spierdowis also submitted fake federal tax forms for both LLCs, showing the payment of hundreds of thousands of dollars in wages to LLC employees during each quarter in 2019. However, court records reveal that Spierdowis was in federal custody for part of Q1 2019 and all of Q2 – Q4 2019 for violating his probation arising from a conviction for conspiracy to commit securities fraud.

Spierdowis's alleged scheme has drawn the attention of law enforcement, and the Hull Police Department has provided valuable assistance with the investigation. Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell and Frederick J. Regan, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service, Boston Field Office, made the announcement today.

Spierdowis faces a charge of wire fraud, which carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Abely, Chief of Mendell's Major Crimes Unit, is prosecuting the case. The details contained in the charging documents are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/hull-man-arrested-fraud-charge-arising-fraudulent-cares-act-small-business-loans