It’s always a little depressing to see how there are such s**tty people in this world! Especially when all the rest of us are in this together, doing our part to slow down a global pandemic!
A Florida resident named David T. Hines, 29, was charged with three felonies this week — one count of bank fraud, one count of making false statements to a financial institution, and one count of engaging in transactions in unlawful proceeds — after he allegedly pocketed nearly $4 million in PPP loans meant for small businesses dealing with the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic!
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According to the US Department of Justice‘s official criminal complaint, Hines allegedly sought approximately $13.5 million in small business-related loans, sending in false and misleading applications about his companies to an insured financial institution responsible for doling out payment to businesses in need as part of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
Of course, thousands of small business owners attempted to qualify for that program legally over the last few months after the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was enacted as a federal law back on March 29. Many of those struggling companies did so without ever seeing a dime of money to help offset costs during the pandemic, though. And yet in Hines’ case, he allegedly made “numerous false and misleading statements” about his respective payroll expenses, leading to being funded to the tune of $3.9 million.
In the days and weeks that followed his loan disbursal, then, Hines purchased a 2020 Lamborghini Huracan sports car for approximately $318,000, choosing to register it jointly in his name and in the name of one of his companies. He also apparently did not make any payroll payments like he’d claimed he would on his loan applications, instead opting to spend money on dating sites, as well as “make purchases at luxury retailers and resorts in Miami Beach,” according to the official complaint.
When Hines was arrested, authorities seized the Lamborghini, as well as about $3.4 million in cash. The embattled 29-year-old is represented by defense attorney Chad Piotrowski, who declined comment when reached by ClickOrlando.com other than to say Hines is a “legitimate business owner” who is “anxious to tell his side of the story.”
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Hmmm… judging by what’s been presented so far in this case, Hines’ version must be one hell of a story, ya know?! We’re waiting on pins and needles to hear how he spins that one! After all, those federal felony charges are pretty darn serious.
What do U make of this story, Perezcious readers? Not exactly comforting to know people are out there doing stuff like this when real small businesses are being shuttered left and right across the country… just saying!
[Image via Miami Dade Corrections/YouTube]
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