John L. Hutchins, a 71-year-old resident of Lewiston, New York, has admitted to his involvement in a scheme to defraud COVID-19 relief programs out of more than $1.8 million. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo after Hutchins pleaded guilty before Judge Meredith A. Vacca to charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud. These charges could result in a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and a fine up to $1,000,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul E. Bonanno and Douglas A.C. Penrose are handling the case against Hutchins, who conspired with co-defendant Roberto Soliman and others between March 2020 and March 2024. They filed fraudulent loan applications under the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL), Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), and Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG). These programs were part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act aimed at providing financial support during the pandemic.
The businesses involved in the fraudulent applications include Rapids Theatre Niagara Falls, USA, Inc., 1711 Main, LLC, Bear Creek Entertainment, LLC, Hutch Enterprises, LLC, The Hutchins Agency, LLC—all owned by Hutchins—and CWE Entertainment Corp., owned by Soliman.
Between March and August 2020 alone, Hutchins and Soliman obtained five Economic Injury Disaster Loans totaling $779,500. Additionally, they received SVOG loans amounting to $989,905.05 as well as PPP loans from Bank on Buffalo for $74,838 and Northwest Bank for $41,140 by submitting false revenue and expense information.
While Hutchins has entered a guilty plea, charges against Roberto Soliman remain pending.
The investigation was conducted by several agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation led by Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia; the Internal Revenue Service's Criminal Investigation Division directed by Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Harry Chavis; U.S. Customs and Border Protection under Rose Brophy; Director of Field Operations; along with the New York State Office of Professional Discipline.
