Reports

The independent public accounting firm of Brown & Company CPAs and Management Consultants, PLLC, under contract with the Office of Inspector General, audited Help America Vote Act (HAVA) grants administered by the New Jersey Department of State, totaling $39.52 million. This included federal funds, state matching funds, and interest earned on the Election Security and Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act grants.

West Coast Dental Administrative Services LLC (formerly West Coast Dental Services Inc.), a Brentwood-based company which operates a network of dental offices in Southern California, and its founders and former owners, Drs. Soleyman Cohen-Sedgh, Farid Pakravan and Farhad Manavi, have paid $6.3 million to resolve allegations that they knowingly violated the False Claims Act in connection with seven improper loans that West Coast Dental Services Inc. (West Coast Dental) and affiliated dental offices received under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

Robert Baines admitted fraudulently obtaining $41,484 in loans.

Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Julie R. Rubin today sentenced Damilola Ojo, age 31, of Windsor Mill, Maryland, to 48 months in federal prison, followed by 2 years of supervised release, for charges related to a bank fraud scheme totaling more than $1.8 million. As part of his plea, Ojo also admitted to obtaining a fraudulent $475,000 COVID-19 CARES Act loan. Judge Rubin ordered Ojo to forfeit $20,000 and to pay restitution of $546,000.

Jackson, Miss. – A Pearl woman pled guilty to carrying out a scheme to defraud the COVID-19 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

NEW ORLEANS – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that RENIC PALMER, JR. (“PALMER”), age 24, of New Orleans, pled guilty on August 1, 2024 before United States District Judge Carl J. Barbier to making or using false writings or documents to the United States Small Business Administration (SBA), in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001(a)(3).

Edna McGowan-Baker engaged in a scheme to fraudulently obtain Paycheck Protection Program loans.