COVID-19 Relief Fraud: PPP & EIDL Loans Under Investigation & Prosecution
COVID-19 Relief Fraud: PPP & EIDL Loans Under Heightened Investigation & Prosecution Contact us today.
Many businesses of all sizes are struggling with debt. Both new and older troubled businesses have found that government legal action resulting from an SBA loan default magnifies their financial difficulties. An SBA loan foreclosure can also result in the loss of the owner's home and other personal assets.
The Inspector General of the SBA (OIG) has criticized the SBA's oversight of lenders and called for tighter controls. To date, the OIG's aggressive pursuit of lenders, brokers and others has resulted in numerous indictments, convictions and hefty fines. OIG audits of lenders found that 44% of the reviewed loans had inadequate documentation.
A qualified attorney from the Protect Law Group is able to conduct a comprehensive audit of an SBA loan in order to determine if the lender committed fraud or if any regulatory deficiencies or other SOP violations took place. If this audit reveals regulatory mishaps, a petition can be submitted to the SBA (or any other federal agency holding the debt) that will disclose the findings of the audit and ask that any and all collection actions be terminated.
The goal is to show that the SBA debt is not "legally enforceable" so that the government will seek recovery from the fraudulent bank or lender. Because of the Federal Statute of Limitations, the sooner this audit is performed and action is taken, the better.
At some point, a business owner with a past-due loan will receive an SBA demand letter. This letter will state that the loan will be referred to the Department of the Treasury unless an SBA Offer in Compromise is received within 60 days from the date of the letter. This is a one-time opportunity to settle the SBA loan for less than the amount that they say is owed.
The Tax Offset Program is employed by the Treasury to collect a defaulted loan balance. They will take any tax refunds, 15% of any federal benefits such as social security and garnish 15% of your net wages.
The attorneys at Protect Law Group have the knowledge and experience necessary to erase or settle your SBA debt. Don't delay. As a personal guarantor of this debt, your home is in jeopardy. Contact them today for a free case evaluation.
Millions of Dollars in SBA Debts Resolved via Offer in Compromise and Negotiated Repayment Agreements without our Clients filing for Bankruptcy or Facing Home Foreclosure
Millions of Dollars in Treasury Debts Defended Against via AWG Hearings, Treasury Offset Program Resolution, Cross-servicing Disputes, Private Collection Agency Representation, Compromise Offers and Negotiated Repayment Agreements
Our Attorneys are Authorized by the Agency Practice Act to Represent Federal Debtors Nationwide before the SBA, The SBA Office of Hearings and Appeals, the Treasury Department, and the Bureau of Fiscal Service.
Our firm successfully resolved an SBA COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) in the original amount of $150,000 for a Florida-based borrower. The loan, issued on June 4, 2020, was secured by business assets and potential personal liability through the SBA's Security Agreement.
Following the permanent closure of the business, we guided the client through the SBA’s Business Closure Review process and prepared a comprehensive collateral analysis. We negotiated directly with the SBA, obtaining a full release of the business collateral for $2,910 — satisfying the borrower’s obligations under the Security Agreement and eliminating any further enforcement risk against the pledged assets.
Our firm successfully resolved an SBA 7(a) loan default in the amount of $212,000 on behalf of an individual guarantor. The borrower’s business experienced a significant downturn in revenue and was unable to sustain operations, ultimately leading to closure and a remaining personal guaranty obligation.
After conducting a thorough financial review and preparing a comprehensive SBA Offer in Compromise (SBA OIC) submission, we negotiated directly with the SBA and lender to achieve a settlement of $50,000—approximately 24% of the outstanding balance. This favorable resolution released the guarantor from further personal liability and provided the opportunity to move forward free from the burden of enforced collection.
Client received the SBA's Official 60-Day Notice for a loan that was obtained by her small business in 2001. The SBA loan went into default in 2004 but after hearing nothing from the SBA lender or the SBA for 20 years, out of the blue, she received the SBA's collection due process notice which provided her with only one of four options: (1) repay the entire accelerated balance immediately; (2) negotiate a repayment arrangement; (3) challenge the legal enforceability of the debt with evidence; or (4) request an OHA hearing before a U.S. Administrative Law Judge.
Client hired the Firm to represent her with only 13 days left before the expiration deadline to respond to the SBA's Official 60-Day Notice. The Firm attorneys immediately researched the SBA's Official loan database to obtain information regarding the 7(a) loan. Thereafter, the Firm attorneys conducted legal research and asserted certain affirmative defenses challenging the legal enforceability of the debt. A written response was timely filed to the 60-Day Notice with the SBA subsequently agreeing with the client's affirmative defenses and legal arguments. As a result, the SBA rendered a decision immediately terminating collection of the debt against the client's alleged personal guarantee liability saving her $50,000.
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