A Niagara Falls resident has admitted to participating in a scheme that defrauded federal COVID-19 relief programs of more than $1.8 million. Roberto Soliman, 43, pleaded guilty before Judge Meredith A. Vacca to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud. The charges carry a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul E. Bonanno and Douglas A. C. Penrose, Soliman worked with co-defendant John Hutchins and others between March 2020 and March 2024 to submit fraudulent loan applications for several federal relief programs: the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL), the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), and the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG). These programs were established under the CARES Act to provide emergency financial assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Soliman and Hutchins applied for loans using multiple companies owned by Hutchins, including Rapids Theatre Niagara Falls, USA, Inc., 1711 Main, LLC, Bear Creek Entertainment, LLC, Hutch Enterprises, LLC, The Hutchins Agency, LLC, as well as CWE Entertainment Corp., which was owned by Soliman.
Between March and August 2020, they received five EIDL loans totaling $779,500. They also obtained SVOG loans amounting to $989,905.05 and two PPP loans—one from Bank on Buffalo for $74,838 and another from Northwest Bank for $41,140. Prosecutors stated that false revenue and expense figures were submitted on each application.
John Hutchins previously pleaded guilty in connection with this case and is awaiting sentencing.
U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo said: "The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Mark Grimm, the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Harry Chavis, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Rose Brophy, Director of Field Operations, and the New York State Office of Professional Discipline."
Sentencing for Soliman is scheduled for October 29, 2025 before Judge Vacca.
