Tyndall Air Force Base active-duty member Negleatta Davis has agreed to pay $24,000 in damages under the False Claims Act after allegedly submitting false information for a Paycheck Protection Program loan, according to an Aug. 3 announcement by the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
The settlement resolves civil allegations that Davis knowingly provided fraudulent documents and a false application to obtain a $14,375 PPP loan as sole proprietor of Apple Jreamzz Treats & Things. The U.S. Attorney’s Office said the business was registered in Nevada on July 1, 2020, while Davis was stationed there, but eligibility requirements under the CARES Act were not met because the business was established after qualifying dates. The loan was funded by the Small Business Administration or through federally guaranteed financial institutions and later forgiven by the SBA with additional lender fees and interest totaling $16,938.09.
U.S. Attorney John P. Heekin said, “Whether it’s through aggressive criminal prosecutions or affirmative civil enforcement actions, or both, my office is committed to rooting out fraud, waste, and abuse of federal programs to ensure fraudsters are held accountable. When someone defrauds the federal government, they are victimizing every U.S. taxpayer. Under the National Fraud Enforcement Division, the Department of Justice is returning to a zero-tolerance posture for fraud of any kind or amount to fulfill the fiduciary duty we have to the American taxpayer.”
The Air Force Office of Special Investigations and U.S. Small Business Administration assisted in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Ann Couch represented the United States during these proceedings.
The claims resolved by this settlement remain allegations only; no determination of liability has been made at this time.
The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida advances community safety and quality of life by upholding rule of law across northern Florida; enforces federal laws; protects civil rights; secures public funds; operates from facilities in Tallahassee, Pensacola and Gainesville; covers 23 counties including Tallahassee and Panhandle regions; collaborates with law enforcement agencies through initiatives such as Project Safe Childhood—all according to its official website.