Independent guide and data. Not a government website. Reporting fraud to the government is always free.

Florida PPP and EIDL loan fraud cases

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

All announcements

DateAnnouncementStageAmount
2026-09-29Guilty Plea by Air Force Reservist for PPP Loan Fraud is Another Win for National Fraud Enforcement DivisionPleaded guilty$20K
2026-09-14Winter Garden Woman Sentenced to 30 Months for COVID Relief Fraud and Failure to File Tax ReturnsSentenced—
2026-09-14U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida Joins DOJ Fraud Division, SBA, and SBA OIG in Surge Takedown Exceeding $245 Million in COVID-era Loan FraudCharged—
2026-08-17Former Miami Gardens Police Officer Pleads Guilty to COVID-19 Relief Loan FraudPleaded guilty—
2026-08-14Former Sweetwater Commissioner Sentenced to Prison for Fraudulently Obtaining Nearly $950,000 in PPP LoansSentenced$950K
2026-08-03Air Force Active Duty Member Settles False Claims Act Allegations for Fraudulent Government LoanCivil settlement$24K
2026-07-25Most Wanted COVID-19 Fraud Fugitive Returned from Jamaica to Face Charges in $32 Million SchemeCharged$32M
2026-06-08Orlando Resident Charged with Mortgage and COVID Relief FraudCharged—
2026-05-12Beverage Dispensing Equipment Manufacturer Pays $2.6 Million To Settle False Claims Act Allegations Involving Paycheck Protection ProgramCivil settlement$2.6M
2026-05-07South Florida Tax Preparer Admits to Wire Fraud in $4.1 Million PPP Loan SchemePleaded guilty$4.1M
2026-04-22Pensacola Woman Indicted for Federal Wire FraudCharged—
2026-01-20Jury Convicts Bellair Man for COVID Loan Fraud Scheme Using Deceased Former Business Partner's IdentityConvicted at trial—
2026-01-15Tampa Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Stealing More Than Half a Million Dollars in COVID Relief FundsSentenced$534K
2025-12-12Eleven Individuals Indicted For Stealing More Than Two Million Dollars In Covid Relief FundsCharged—
2025-11-25FORMER PACE RESIDENT PLEADS GUILTY TO COVID AND BANKRUPTCY FRAUDPleaded guilty$1.1M
2025-11-21Founder Of "Leadership Training" Company And Co-Conspirator Found Guilty Of Defrauding COVID Relief ProgramsConvicted at trial—
2025-11-14Odessa Man Indicted For Stealing More Than $250,000 In PPP FundsCharged$250K
2025-11-14Georgia Non-Profit Entity Pays $3.5 Million To Settle False Claims Act Allegations Involving Paycheck Protection ProgramCivil settlement$3.5M
2025-11-13Miami Influencer Sentenced to More than 2 Years in Prison for COVID Relief Loan Fraud and Fake Check SchemeSentenced—
2025-11-13Jacksonville Woman Sentenced To Three Years In Prison For Credit Scheme And COVID Relief Fraud Involving The Paycheck Protection ProgramSentenced$109K
2025-09-29Jacksonville Man Pleads Guilty To Defrauding Investors And Obtaining Fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program LoansPleaded guilty$4.8M
2025-09-05Twelve Lakeland-Based Gang Members Charged With Paycheck Protection Program FraudCharged—
2025-08-28Tampa Man Pleads Guilty To Stealing Over $500,000 In COVID Relief FundsPleaded guilty$500K
2025-08-11Owner and Captain of Scuba Charter Vessel Sentenced to Over Eight Years in Prison for Seaman's Manslaughter and FraudSentenced—
2025-07-23Orlando Couple Agrees To Pay More Than $88,000 Related To Improperly Received PPP Loan FundsCivil settlement$89K
2025-06-17Former SBA Employee from South Florida Headed to Federal Prison After Defrauding COVID-19 Relief ProgramsSentenced$1.3M
2025-06-13Georgia Couple Arrested For Stealing More Than $1.7 Million Dollars In COVID Relief FundsCharged$1.7M
2025-06-03Public Servants Sentenced for COVID-19 Relief FraudSentenced$76K
2025-06-03Jacksonville Woman Pleads Guilty To Credit Scheme And COVID Relief Fraud Involving The Paycheck Protection ProgramPleaded guilty—
2025-05-21City of Miami Police Officer Pleads Guilty to COVID-19 Relief FraudPleaded guilty$92K
2025-05-15South Florida Tax Preparer, Two Others Charged with Conspiring to Defraud Covid-19 Relief ProgramCharged—
2025-05-02Lakeland Man Sentenced To Federal Prison For $370,000 COVID Relief Fraud SchemeSentenced$370K
2025-04-29Venezuelan Nationals with TPS Charged in Miami with Defrauding U.S. Government-Funded Covid-19 Relief ProgramCharged—
2025-04-29Miami Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Leading Payment Protection Program Fraud SchemeSentenced—
2025-04-11Fort Myers Couple Sentenced To Federal Prison For $3.4 Million COVID Relief Fraud SchemeSentenced$3.4M
2025-04-10Tampa Man Pleads Guilty To Fraudulently Spending More Than $300,000 In COVID Relief FundsPleaded guilty—
2025-04-08Jacksonville Man Pleads Guilty To Wire Fraud Involving A Paycheck Protection Program LoanPleaded guilty—
2025-03-28GOVERNMENT RECEIVES $100,000 TO RESOLVE FRAUDULENT PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM LOANSentenced—
2025-03-14Florida Businessman Patrick Walsh and Affiliated Companies Agree to $20M Consent Judgment to Settle False Claims Act Liability Relating to Fraudulent Pandemic Relief LoansCivil settlement$20.1M
2025-03-13Tampa Man Arrested For Stealing More Than Half A Million Dollars In COVID Relief FundsCharged—
2025-03-11Jacksonville Woman Sentenced To Federal Prison For Credit Scheme And COVID Relief Fraud Involving The Paycheck Protection ProgramSentenced$132K
2025-03-06Public Servants Plead Guilty to Covid-19 Relief FraudPleaded guilty—
2025-03-06Federal Jury Finds Owner and Captain of Southern Comfort Guilty of Seaman's Manslaughter and FraudConvicted at trial—

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 Florida

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 Florida, and PPP/EIDL cases in every state.

Frequently asked questions

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

43 announcements since January 20, 2025, or 7.5% 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 Florida?

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)