TAMPA — U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe emphasized the collaborative nature of the investigation. He said the Middle District of Florida prosecutors, investigators, and law enforcement partners are part of an integrated team dedicated to protecting citizens and their hard-earned dollars from criminals. Kehoe added that the office would not tolerate criminal activity that undermines government assistance programs.

Kehoe said that when individuals deliberately defraud government programs for personal gain and profit, they compromise the solvency of programs and services designed to provide critical assistance to legitimate businesses and individuals in times of need. He stated that this criminal activity will not be tolerated.

Attorney General Todd Blanche addressed the methods used by those accused of stealing pandemic relief funds. Blanche said pandemic loan relief was meant to keep American small businesses alive during government lockdowns, not to line the pockets of fraudsters. He stated that defendants charged during the summer surge allegedly fabricated businesses, submitted false payroll and revenue claims, stole identities, and concealed foreign ties on their applications.

McDonald said this summer surge shows what is possible when dedicated public servants across the country work together with a single purpose. He said the mission is clear: protect taxpayer funds, safeguard the integrity of federal relief programs, and deliver justice to those who exploited them. He noted that agencies would remain steadfast in identifying fraud and pursuing those responsible.

SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler provided context on the scale of suspected irregularities within the agency's loan portfolios. Loeffler stated that 870,000 suspended borrowers are tied to $39 billion in suspected fraudulent PPP and COVID EIDL activity. SBA Inspector General William Kirk described the initiative as Operation No Doze, which brings a focused and coordinated approach to pursuing fraud in SBA’s pandemic relief programs.

Several individual cases resulted in prison sentences and financial penalties. Earlisha Louis was sentenced to 37 months imprisonment for attempting to steal more than $2 million in COVID relief funds.

Shawn Michael Simmerer was sentenced to seven years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud. Simmerer obtained more than $344,000 in PPP loan proceeds and more than $680,000 in IRS refunds. Michael Harvey obtained $679,487 in proceeds from a scheme involving PPP and EIDL loans. Eakes was ordered to pay restitution totaling $5,101,200.92.

Timeline

On September 1, 2026, federal prosecutors charged over 160 defendants in a nationwide fraud enforcement action from June 12 to September 1. The enforcement action involved approximately $245 million in intended loss to taxpayers. The action targeted fraud in the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loan program.

The Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division led the enforcement action. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida participated in the enforcement action. The Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General participated in the enforcement action.

Approximately 80 defendants were newly charged during the enforcement period. On September 14, 2026, SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler said the announcement represented the largest-ever action against perpetrators of SBA fraud, with 870,000 suspended borrowers tied to $39 billion in suspected fraudulent PPP and COVID EIDL activity.

Why It Matters

SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler indicated that the scope of suspected fraud extends beyond the current indictments, with 870,000 suspended borrowers tied to $39 billion in suspected fraudulent activity. The involvement of the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud and the designation of Operation No Doze suggest a sustained administrative focus on restoring accountability and recovering taxpayer dollars from those who fabricated businesses or stole identities to access relief funds.