U.S. Attorney Susan T. Lehr | U.S. Department of Justice
Henry T. Lewis, a 57-year-old resident of Omaha, Nebraska, has been sentenced for wire fraud related to COVID-19 relief programs. The sentencing took place on December 19, 2024, in a federal court in Omaha. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher handed down a sentence of five years' probation and ordered Lewis to pay $210,846.26 in restitution. Lewis had already paid $20,000 before the sentencing.
Between 2020 and 2021, Lewis submitted fraudulent applications for loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program with assistance from another person. These loan programs were part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act designed to aid Americans affected by the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The fraudulent applications involved misrepresentations about employee compensation and business revenue resulting in inflated loan requests under PPP and EIDL programs. Lewis used false tax documents to support his claims. He sought approximately $348,494.50 in loans but obtained $195,497.
In response to such fraud cases during the pandemic, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force on May 17, 2021. This task force aims to enhance efforts against pandemic-related fraud through coordination among various government agencies.
For more information on combating COVID-19 related fraud or if anyone has information about attempted fraud involving these relief programs can contact the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or use their web complaint form online.
The investigation into this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Small Business Administration's Office of Inspector General.
