A Shelby County resident has been charged with defrauding federal COVID-19 relief programs, according to a May 6 announcement by Acting U.S. Attorney Catherine L. Crosby.
The case highlights ongoing efforts to protect taxpayer funds and ensure that emergency pandemic aid reaches those who are eligible. Federal authorities say such enforcement actions help maintain the integrity of benefit programs and deter fraudulent activity.
A 13-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court charges Stanley Mark Hill, age 61, of Helena, Alabama, with wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Prosecutors allege that from at least May 2020 to May 2021, Hill applied for seven fraudulent loans through the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (EIDL), and Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF). Six of these applications were funded. The indictment states that Hill submitted false information about business revenues and costs, falsified supporting documents, and used another individual's social security number without consent on six applications. The total requested exceeded $3 million; more than $2.5 million was funded.
"On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars," said Crosby in the statement.
The investigation was conducted by the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Allison J. Garnett is prosecuting the case.
The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama advances community safety through public engagement initiatives, serves over 2.8 million people across 31 counties including Birmingham and Huntsville, prosecutes federal crimes such as fraud cases like this one, manages civil cases for the United States government, recovers funds lost to fraud, and collaborates with law enforcement agencies to protect its district residents according to the official website.
Authorities remind readers that an indictment contains only charges; a defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
