Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that Dent Hunter, 46, of New Orleans, was sentenced on July 8, 2025, to five years of probation by U.S. District Judge Darrel James Papillion. Hunter pleaded guilty to making false statements and money laundering related to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).
The CARES Act was signed into law on March 27, 2020, providing emergency assistance administered by the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) for small business owners affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The main sources of funding were the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) program.
According to charging documents, around April 6, 2020, Hunter made false statements to an approved lender on behalf of a business to obtain a $122,100 PPP loan. On July 22, 2020, he stole $149,900 from the SBA using an application in the name of NexLevel ONE Realty. Hunter also committed two counts of money laundering by using these funds to purchase motor vehicles for family members.
In addition to probation, Hunter was ordered to pay over $1 million in restitution to the SBA and complete 400 hours of community service. He was also required to pay a mandatory special assessment fee of $200.
For more information on the Department of Justice’s response to the pandemic or to report allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19, individuals can visit their website or contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline.
This case was investigated by an agent from the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee (PRAC) Fraud Task Force. The PRAC promotes transparency and oversight of federal COVID-19 pandemic responses. It involves agents from multiple Inspectors General investigating fraud across various programs including PPP.
Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson commended the work done by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs - Office of Inspector General and Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation in this case's investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward J. Rivera led the prosecution.
