Detroit Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy Involving More Than $14 Million in Fraudulent Pandemic Relief Loans

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Detroit, Michigan, pleaded guilty in federal court on May 15, 2024, to a fraud conspiracy charge involving the largest known Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) fraud in the Western District of Pennsylvania, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Matthew Lloyd Parker, 37, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge W. Scott Hardy.

In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, between March 2020 and August 2021, Parker conspired with others to defraud lenders of more than $14 million through false PPP loan applications for COVID-19 pandemic relief. Parker, a licensed CPA from Detroit, recruited hundreds of small businesses in Pittsburgh and Detroit and falsified PPP loan applications in their names. The Small Business Administration approved 226 of those applications, resulting in loans totaling approximately $14.5 million to various businesses.

Judge Hardy scheduled sentencing for September 17, 2024. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 30 years in prison, a fine of up to $1 million, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Gregory C. Melucci is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Parker.