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California PPP and EIDL loan fraud cases

Every Justice Department announcement of PPP and EIDL loan fraud prosecuted in California since January 20, 2025.

All announcements

DateAnnouncementStageAmount
2026-10-09North Hollywood Man Sentenced to Over 5 Years in Federal Prison for COVID-19 FraudSentenced$5M
2026-10-07Elk Grove man convicted of defrauding COVID-era programConvicted at trial$1M
2026-09-24Inland Empire Man Pleads Guilty to His Role in Crime Ring that Fraudulently Obtained $3.5 Million in COVID Business-Relief LoansPleaded guilty$3.5M
2026-09-15U.S. Attorney's Office Joins DOJ Fraud Division, SBA, And SBA OIG In Surge Takedown Exceeding $245 Million In COVID-Era Loan FraudCharged—
2026-07-27Sacramento Resident Pleads Guilty To Bank And Tax Fraud Scheme Involving The Submission Of Fraudulent PPP Loan ApplicationsPleaded guilty—
2026-06-01Florida Resident Sentenced To 5 Years For Obtaining Fraudulent COVID Loans, Scams Targeting Investors, And Stealing Government PropertySentenced—
2026-05-28Culver City Restauranteur Sentenced to Nearly 3½ Years in Federal Prison for Fraudulently Obtaining Over $4 Million in COVID Business LoansSentenced$4.4M
2026-05-05California Tax Preparer Pleads Guilty to Filing False Returns and Fraudulently Obtaining COVID Benefits; Caused More than $25 Million in Losses to the GovernmentPleaded guilty$25M
2026-05-04Fremont Company Agrees to Pay Nearly One Million Dollars to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations Involving Paycheck Protection Program LoanCivil settlement$950K
2025-12-04California Lobbyist and Former Chief of Staff to an Elected Official Plead Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit FraudPleaded guilty$225K
2025-11-12California Political Consultant and Former Public Official Charged with Conspiracy to Commit Fraud and Obstruct Justice, False Statements, and Tax CrimesCharged—
2025-09-24Santa Clara Woman Sentenced To 18 Months In Prison For Fraudulently Obtaining More Than $2.8 Million In Pandemic Relief FundsSentenced$2.8M
2025-09-05Construction Company CEO Arrested for Amassing Real Estate Empire Through $4 Million in Fraudulently Obtained Covid-19 Relief LoansCharged$4M
2025-08-22Elk Grove Man Charged with Covid Relief FraudCharged$1M
2025-08-22California Man Pleads Guilty for Role in $15.9M COVID-19 Fraud SchemePleaded guilty—
2025-08-07California CEO Sentenced for Role in Covid-19 Relief Fraud Resulting in Millions of Stolen FundsSentenced$7M
2025-08-06Convicted Felon Federally Charged with Fraudulently Obtaining More Than $800,000 in COVID Funds by Hiding Criminal HistoryCharged$800K
2025-07-24California Lobbying Firm Agrees to Settle Fraud Allegations Involving Paycheck Protection ProgramCivil settlement$557K
2025-07-10Former Banker Arrested for Allegedly Obtaining $2.7 Million in COVID Business-Relief Funds Using Stolen IDs of Disabled PersonsCharged$2.7M
2025-05-28Fresno Man Pleads Guilty to Paycheck Protection Program Loan FraudPleaded guilty—
2025-05-2814 Arrested on Complaints Alleging More Than $25 Million in COVID-19 Relief and Small Business Loans Were Fraudulently ObtainedCharged$25M
2025-05-15Two California Businesses and Their Owners Resolve Allegations They Misrepresented Businesses' Size to Obtain Paycheck Protection Program LoansCivil settlement$154K
2025-05-09Sacramento-Based Political Consulting Firm Resolves Claims Involving Paycheck Protection Program LoanCivil settlement$200K
2025-04-11California Restaurant Owner Sentenced for COVID-19 and Tax Fraud SchemesSentenced$1.8M
2025-02-28San Diego Man Who Ran $35 Million Securities Fraud and COVID-Relief Fraud Scheme Sentenced to Almost 20 YearsSentenced$35M
2025-02-28LA Woman Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for $2.3 Million COVID Loan Scheme and Falsely Seeking Nearly $1.3 Million in Pandemic Tax CreditsSentenced$2.4M
2025-02-20Sacramento Man Charged With Multimillion-Dollar Bank Fraud and Pandemic Loan Fraud SchemeCharged$3M

Source: U.S. Department of Justice press releases. Amounts should not be added: one case can appear at several stages. Charged cases are allegations.

Where to report PPP and EIDL loan fraud in California

PPP and EIDL loan fraud is covered by the federal WHIP program: a tip that leads to criminal charges can earn $10,000–$30,000. More on reporting PPP and EIDL loan fraud, all fraud cases and reward laws in California, and PPP/EIDL cases in every state.

Frequently asked questions

How many PPP/EIDL fraud cases has the DOJ announced in California?

27 announcements since January 20, 2025, or 4.7% of all PPP/EIDL announcements in our database. Each press release is counted separately, so one case can appear at charge, plea and sentencing.

How do I report PPP and EIDL loan fraud in California?

SBA Office of Inspector General hotline; National Center for Disaster Fraud; America.gov/fraud (WHIP reward portal). To be eligible for a federal WHIP award, submit the tip in writing at America.gov/fraud.

Sources

  1. U.S. Department of Justice press releases (justice.gov/news)
  2. SBA OIG hotline
  3. DOJ: Disaster fraud
  4. DOJ: National Fraud Enforcement Division Criminal Tip Rewards Pilot Program, terms and conditions (updated Oct. 20, 2026)