A former Broward Sheriff’s Workplace (BSO) Division of Detention lieutenant was final month charged with two counts of wire fraud for allegedly fraudulently acquiring a complete of $167,000 in Paycheck Safety Program (PPP) loans.
Based on the Department of Justice, on April 1, 2021, Ernest Bernard Gonder Jr., 41, of Port St. Lucie, Florida, allegedly submitted a false and fraudulent PPP mortgage utility misrepresenting EBG Properties LLC’s common month-to-month payroll and variety of workers.
In help of this utility, Gonder additionally allegedly submitted a number of fraudulent IRS Kinds 941. Because of this false and fraudulent utility, a New Jersey-based Small Enterprise Administration-approved PPP lender despatched $106,000 to a checking account managed by Gonder within the title of EBG Properties.
Days later, on April 6, 2021, Gonder submitted a second false and fraudulent PPP mortgage utility misrepresenting The Affect Middle of Broward County Inc.’s common month-to-month payroll and variety of workers. In help of this utility, Gonder additionally allegedly submitted a number of fraudulent IRS Kinds 941. He acquired $61,210.
Gonder allegedly used the proceeds of the scheme to “enrich himself,” DOJ stated. He additionally sought and acquired forgiveness for the 2 PPP loans he acquired.
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Court docket look and fees
On Jan. 30, Gonder made his preliminary look in federal courtroom in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. If convicted, Gonder faces as much as 20 years in jail on every depend.
U.S. Lawyer Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, a number of FBI brokers, and Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony made the announcement.
These fees stem from the Division of Justice’s ongoing initiative to prosecute fraud in reference to the PPP mortgage program.
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Final yr, over a dozen workers on the Broward Sheriff’s Workplace had been charged with fraudulently acquiring PPP loans.
