Criminal Defense Lawyers

Oklahoma City PPP – SBA – EIDL Loan Fraud Lawyers

When COVID-19 hit in 2020, the government wanted to help small businesses that were struggling. They created two new programs – the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program (EIDL). These programs gave out billions in forgivable loans and grants to help companies keep paying their workers and cover other expenses.

But some dishonest people saw this as an opportunity to scam the system and make some easy money. Here in Oklahoma City, there’s been a bunch of cases of people getting charged with PPP and EIDL fraud. They lied on their applications about how many employees they had or even totally made up fake companies. Then they pocketed the loan money instead of using it to help an actual business.
Some examples of cases here in OKC:

A group of 6 people worked together to get over $1 million in PPP loans for fake businesses. They didn’t use it to pay employees or rent or anything – they just bought themselves fancy new cars and other expensive stuff.

One lady said she owned a beauty salon and childcare business to get approved for $300,000+ in loans. But it was 100% lies – those businesses didn’t exist!

Two brothers created applications under the names of companies they used to own that weren’t operating anymore. They got $500,000+ for their “dormant” companies.

Trying to cheat these loan programs is serious business. You can get charged with wire fraud, bank fraud, or money laundering. That can mean up to 30 years in prison and fines of up to $1 million! You also have to pay back all the money you got through fraud.

So if you’re being investigated or charged for PPP or EIDL fraud in OKC, it’s really important to get a good lawyer on your side. An experienced attorney will dig into the details of your case and come up with the best defense. Here are some of the main ways they might be able to fight the charges:

Christine Twomey

2024-03-21

Just had my Divorce case settled 2 months ago after having a horrible experience with another firm. I couldn’t be happier with Claire Banks and Elizabeth Garvey with their outstanding professionalism in doing so with Spodek Law Group. Any time I needed questions answered they were always prompt in doing so with all my uncertainties after 30 yrs of marriage.I feel from the bottom of my heart you will NOT be disappointed with either one. Thanks a million.

Brendan huisman

2024-03-18

Alex Zhik contacted me almost immediately when I reached out to Spodek for a consultation and was able to effectively communicate the path forward/consequences of my legal issue. I immediately agreed to hire Alex for his services and did not regret my choice. He was able to cover my case in court (with 1 day notice) and not only was he able to push my case down, he carefully negotiated a dismissal of the charge altogether. I highly recommend Spodek, and more specifically, Alex Zhik for all of your legal issues. Thanks guys!

Guerline Menard

2024-03-18

Thanks again Spodek law firm, particularly Esq Claire Banks who stood right there with us up to the finish line. Attached photos taken right outside of the court building and the smile on our faces represented victory, a breath of fresh air and satisfaction. We are very happy that this is over and we can move on with our lives. Thanks Spodek law 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙌🏼❤️

Keisha Parris

2024-03-15

Believe every single review here about Alex Z!! From our initial consultation, it was evident that Alex possessed a profound understanding of criminal law and a fierce dedication to his clients rights. Throughout the entirety of my case, Alex exhibited unparalleled professionalism and unwavering commitment. What sets Alex apart is not only his legal expertise but also his genuine compassion for his clients. He took the time to thoroughly explain my case, alleviating any concerns I had along the way. His exact words were “I’m not worried about it”. His unwavering support and guidance were invaluable throughout the entire process. I am immensely grateful for Alex's exceptional legal representation and wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone in need of a skilled criminal defense attorney. Alex Z is not just a lawyer; he is a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of the legal system. If you find yourself in need of a dedicated and competent legal advocate, look no further than Alex Z.

Taïko Beauty

2024-03-15

I don’t know where to start, I can write a novel about this firm, but one thing I will say is that having my best interest was their main priority since the beginning of my case which was back in Winter 2019. Miss Claire Banks, one of the best Attorneys in the firm represented me very well and was very professional, respectful, and truthful. Not once did she leave me in the dark, in fact she presented all options and routes that could possibly be considered for my case and she reinsured me that no matter what I decided to do, her and the team will have my back and that’s exactly what happened. Not only will I be liberated from this case, also, I will enjoy my freedom and continue to be a mother to my first born son and will have no restrictions with accomplishing my goals in life. Now that’s what I call victory!! I thank the Lord, My mother, Claire, and the Spodek team for standing by me and fighting with me. Words can’t describe how grateful I am to have the opportunity to work with this team. I’m very satisfied, very pleased with their performance, their hard work, and their diligence. Thank you team!

Anthony Williams

2024-03-12

Hey, how you guys doing? Good afternoon my name is Anthony Williams I just want to give a great shout out to the team of. Spodek law group. It is such a honor to use them and to use their assistance through this whole case from start to finish. They did everything that they said they was gonna do and if it ever comes down to it, if I ever have to use them again, hands-down they will be the first law office at the top of my list, thank you guys so much. It was a pleasure having you guys by my side so if you guys ever need them, do not hesitate to pick up the phone and give them a call.

Loveth Okpedo

2024-03-12

Very professional, very transparent, over all a great experience

Bee L

2024-02-28

Amazing experience with Spodek! Very professional lawyers who take your case seriously. They treated me with respect, were always available, and answered any and all questions. They were able to help me very successfully and removed a huge stress. Highly recommend.

divesh patel

2024-02-24

I can't recommend Alex Zhik and Spodek Law Firm highly enough for their exceptional legal representation and personal mentorship. From the moment I engaged their services in October 2022, Alex took the time to understand my case thoroughly and provided guidance every step of the way. Alex's dedication to my case went above and beyond my expectations. His expertise, attention to detail, and commitment to achieving the best possible outcome were evident throughout the entire process. He took the time to mentor me, ensuring I understood the legal complexities involved to make informed decisions. Alex is the kind of guy you would want to have a beer with and has made a meaningful impact on me. I also want to acknowledge Todd Spodek, the leader of the firm, who played a crucial role in my case. His leadership and support bolstered the efforts of Alex, and his involvement highlighted the firm's commitment to excellence. Thanks to Alex Zhik and Todd Spodek, I achieved the outcome I desired, and I am incredibly grateful for their professionalism, expertise, and genuine care. If you're in need of legal representation, look no further than this outstanding team.

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Google rating score: 4.9 of 5, based on 736 reviews

• You didn’t mean to commit fraud – maybe you just made mistakes on the application forms. Prosecutors have to prove you intended to scam the loans.
• You already paid back the money or used it the right way for your business. If there was no real harm done, that could help your case.
• You were forced or threatened to go along with a scheme by someone else.
• The police pushed you into committing a crime you wouldn’t have done otherwise.
  A good lawyer may also be able to negotiate with the prosecutor to get the charges lowered or agree to things like probation instead of jail time.

Whistleblowers who see or suspect PPP/EIDL fraud can also get a lawyer. Under the CARES Act, you can get a reward of 15-30% of the recovered money for reporting fraud. But employers often try to punish whistleblowers. A lawyer can help you stay anonymous and file a lawsuit to get your reward.

The PPP and EIDL programs threw struggling Oklahoma City businesses a lifeline. But some folks tried to take advantage and make off with money they didn’t deserve. If you’re caught up in an investigation or charges, don’t go it alone. Talk to an experienced fraud defense attorney right away to start protecting your rights. They can help make sure you get treated fairly.