Towards the end of March, the Department of Justice issued a press release boasting that the department has charged 474 defendants with fraud related to COVID-19 relief programs, such as the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL), and Unemployment Insurance (UI) programs. The DOJ reports that the cases combined involve over $569 million in potential loss amounts, and that they have been brought in 56 federal districts.
The press release lists examples of some of the cases involving each of the government programs and some of the type of conduct the Government considers evidence of fraud. The DOJ also describes its use of its International Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property (ICHIP) program to identify and investigate fraud.
The DOJ also notes some of its civil cases brought against individuals and companies for fraud in connection with the CARES Act programs or relief funds.
Click here to read the press release.