Criminal Defense Lawyers

San Francisco PPP – SBA – EIDL Loan Fraud Lawyers

Fighting PPP and EIDL Fraud Charges in San Francisco? Why You Need an Experienced Lawyer

The COVID-19 pandemic led to the creation of federal loan programs like the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program to help struggling small businesses. Unfortunately, some people have taken advantage of these programs by committing fraud. In San Francisco and nationwide, prosecutors are cracking down on cases of PPP and EIDL fraud. If you’re being investigated or charged, having an experienced lawyer on your side is critical.

What is PPP and EIDL fraud?

Common fraudulent activities include:

• Falsifying payroll numbers to get bigger PPP loans
• Using PPP funds for personal purchases
• Lying on EIDL applications

Defendants face charges like wire fraud, bank fraud, false statements, and money laundering. If convicted, they can face huge fines, having to pay back money, and years in federal prison.

Why hire an experienced lawyer?

A knowledgeable federal fraud defense lawyer can:

• Explain the complex charges and the prosecution’s burden of proof
• Negotiate to get charges reduced or dismissed before trial
• Challenge improper investigative techniques
• Develop defense strategies based on lack of intent, good faith mistakes, bad professional advice, etc.
• Select expert witnesses and conduct in-depth investigations
• Advise whether to go to trial or make a plea deal
• Present persuasive defenses and arguments in court
• Fight for the lowest possible sentence under federal guidelines

What laws are used in PPP/EIDL fraud cases?

Prosecutors often allege violations of laws like:

• Wire fraud
• Bank fraud
• False statements
• Money laundering
• Aggravated identity theft

Penalties can include huge fines, having to repay money, asset forfeiture, and years in prison. Your lawyer needs to fully understand these laws to build your defense.

What are possible defenses?

While the government may act like these are open-and-shut cases, a good lawyer can raise strong defenses like:

Christine Twomey

2024-03-21

Just had my Divorce case settled 2 months ago after having a horrible experience with another firm. I couldn’t be happier with Claire Banks and Elizabeth Garvey with their outstanding professionalism in doing so with Spodek Law Group. Any time I needed questions answered they were always prompt in doing so with all my uncertainties after 30 yrs of marriage.I feel from the bottom of my heart you will NOT be disappointed with either one. Thanks a million.

Brendan huisman

2024-03-18

Alex Zhik contacted me almost immediately when I reached out to Spodek for a consultation and was able to effectively communicate the path forward/consequences of my legal issue. I immediately agreed to hire Alex for his services and did not regret my choice. He was able to cover my case in court (with 1 day notice) and not only was he able to push my case down, he carefully negotiated a dismissal of the charge altogether. I highly recommend Spodek, and more specifically, Alex Zhik for all of your legal issues. Thanks guys!

Guerline Menard

2024-03-18

Thanks again Spodek law firm, particularly Esq Claire Banks who stood right there with us up to the finish line. Attached photos taken right outside of the court building and the smile on our faces represented victory, a breath of fresh air and satisfaction. We are very happy that this is over and we can move on with our lives. Thanks Spodek law 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙌🏼❤️

Keisha Parris

2024-03-15

Believe every single review here about Alex Z!! From our initial consultation, it was evident that Alex possessed a profound understanding of criminal law and a fierce dedication to his clients rights. Throughout the entirety of my case, Alex exhibited unparalleled professionalism and unwavering commitment. What sets Alex apart is not only his legal expertise but also his genuine compassion for his clients. He took the time to thoroughly explain my case, alleviating any concerns I had along the way. His exact words were “I’m not worried about it”. His unwavering support and guidance were invaluable throughout the entire process. I am immensely grateful for Alex's exceptional legal representation and wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone in need of a skilled criminal defense attorney. Alex Z is not just a lawyer; he is a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of the legal system. If you find yourself in need of a dedicated and competent legal advocate, look no further than Alex Z.

Taïko Beauty

2024-03-15

I don’t know where to start, I can write a novel about this firm, but one thing I will say is that having my best interest was their main priority since the beginning of my case which was back in Winter 2019. Miss Claire Banks, one of the best Attorneys in the firm represented me very well and was very professional, respectful, and truthful. Not once did she leave me in the dark, in fact she presented all options and routes that could possibly be considered for my case and she reinsured me that no matter what I decided to do, her and the team will have my back and that’s exactly what happened. Not only will I be liberated from this case, also, I will enjoy my freedom and continue to be a mother to my first born son and will have no restrictions with accomplishing my goals in life. Now that’s what I call victory!! I thank the Lord, My mother, Claire, and the Spodek team for standing by me and fighting with me. Words can’t describe how grateful I am to have the opportunity to work with this team. I’m very satisfied, very pleased with their performance, their hard work, and their diligence. Thank you team!

Anthony Williams

2024-03-12

Hey, how you guys doing? Good afternoon my name is Anthony Williams I just want to give a great shout out to the team of. Spodek law group. It is such a honor to use them and to use their assistance through this whole case from start to finish. They did everything that they said they was gonna do and if it ever comes down to it, if I ever have to use them again, hands-down they will be the first law office at the top of my list, thank you guys so much. It was a pleasure having you guys by my side so if you guys ever need them, do not hesitate to pick up the phone and give them a call.

Loveth Okpedo

2024-03-12

Very professional, very transparent, over all a great experience

Bee L

2024-02-28

Amazing experience with Spodek! Very professional lawyers who take your case seriously. They treated me with respect, were always available, and answered any and all questions. They were able to help me very successfully and removed a huge stress. Highly recommend.

divesh patel

2024-02-24

I can't recommend Alex Zhik and Spodek Law Firm highly enough for their exceptional legal representation and personal mentorship. From the moment I engaged their services in October 2022, Alex took the time to understand my case thoroughly and provided guidance every step of the way. Alex's dedication to my case went above and beyond my expectations. His expertise, attention to detail, and commitment to achieving the best possible outcome were evident throughout the entire process. He took the time to mentor me, ensuring I understood the legal complexities involved to make informed decisions. Alex is the kind of guy you would want to have a beer with and has made a meaningful impact on me. I also want to acknowledge Todd Spodek, the leader of the firm, who played a crucial role in my case. His leadership and support bolstered the efforts of Alex, and his involvement highlighted the firm's commitment to excellence. Thanks to Alex Zhik and Todd Spodek, I achieved the outcome I desired, and I am incredibly grateful for their professionalism, expertise, and genuine care. If you're in need of legal representation, look no further than this outstanding team.

Load more

Google rating score: 4.9 of 5, based on 736 reviews

• You didn’t intentionally commit fraud
• No material false statements were made
• You reasonably relied on professional advice
• Evidence was obtained unconstitutionally
• You were entrapped or coerced

Your lawyer will analyze the facts to determine the best defenses for getting charges dismissed or winning at trial.

Conclusion

Facing PPP or EIDL fraud charges is extremely serious. Getting an accomplished lawyer right away is critical to protecting your rights, avoiding conviction, and minimizing penalties. Don’t delay in contacting an experienced federal fraud defense attorney for a free case review. They will aggressively defend you at every stage.

The COVID pandemic led the government to create programs like the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) to help small businesses. But some folks have abused these programs by committing fraud. Now prosecutors are cracking down on PPP and EIDL fraud cases across the country.If you’re being investigated or charged with this type of fraud, having a good lawyer on your side is really important. They can explain the charges you’re facing and start building a strong defense. This article talks about PPP and EIDL fraud, why you need a lawyer, defenses they can use, and more.

What is PPP and EIDL fraud?

Some common types of fraud include:

• Lying about payroll and number of employees to get bigger PPP loans
• Using PPP money for personal purchases instead of business expenses
• Making false statements on EIDL applications

Defendants often get charged with federal crimes like wire fraud, bank fraud, making false statements, or money laundering. The penalties can be huge – years in prison, massive fines, having to pay back the money, forfeiting assets, etc.

Why you need an experienced lawyer

Having a good lawyer is critical if you’re facing PPP or EIDL fraud charges. Here’s some of what they can do:

• Explain the complex charges and what the prosecution has to prove
• Try to negotiate with the prosecution to get charges dropped or reduced before trial
• Challenge any unconstitutional investigative techniques that were used
• Develop defense strategies based on things like not intentionally committing fraud, making honest mistakes, getting bad professional advice, etc.
• Select expert witnesses and dig deep into investigating your case
• Advise if you should go to trial or try to make a plea deal
• Present persuasive arguments in court defending you
• Fight to get the lowest sentence possible under the guidelines

A lawyer who knows these complex cases is really important for protecting your rights and avoiding conviction or minimizing penalties.

What laws are used to charge PPP/EIDL fraud?

Some of the main federal laws prosecutors use in these cases include:

• Wire fraud – Using interstate wires to commit fraud
• Bank fraud – Schemes to defraud a bank or get money through false statements
• False statements – Lying on loan applications or documents
• Money laundering – Shady financial transactions to hide where money came from
• Aggravated identity theft – Using someone else’s personal info without permission

The penalties under each law are different but can be very severe – prison time, big fines, repaying money, assets taken away, etc. Your lawyer needs to fully understand these laws to build the best defense.

What are possible defenses in these cases?

While the government acts like these are open and shut cases, a good lawyer can often raise strong defenses like:

• You didn’t intentionally commit fraud
• No false statements were actually made
• You reasonably relied on professional advice
• Evidence was obtained unconstitutionally
• You were coerced or tricked into committing fraud

A skilled lawyer will look closely at all the evidence and circumstances to figure out what viable defenses you may have. This can lead to charges being dismissed or winning at trial.

Bottom Line

Dealing with PPP or EIDL fraud charges is really serious and complicated. Having an experienced federal fraud defense lawyer is critical to protecting your rights, avoiding conviction, and reducing penalties. Don’t wait to contact a lawyer if you’re being investigated or charged – the sooner they can start building your defense, the better. They’ll aggressively defend you at every stage of the process.References:What to do if you’re billed for an SBA EIDL loan you don’t oweSBA EIDL LOAN FRAUD & ABUSEPPP and EIDL Loan Scams – Avoid these tactics!