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Remember, when we were in a so-called deadly pandemic, and the government decided to pay businesses to stay operational despite forcing them to transform, or even close, their businesses?
In a development that surprises no one, that program — the Paycheck Protection Program — is alleged to have been abused by bad actors to enrich themselves by defrauding US taxpayers. From 9News:
“Amin Suliaman was arrested by federal authorities in Miami this month after a grand jury in Colorado indicted him on May 7. Suliaman moved from Denver to Texas after the Nativ Hotel and nightclub went bankrupt and went out of business. According to the indictment, Suliaman inflated the number of employees who worked for his businesses and also requested money for a business that wasn’t operating anymore. The total amount Suliaman is accused of stealing is $449,800.”
9NEWS Denver
He is expected to appear before a Colorado District judge at an undisclosed date in the future.
According to the indictment, Suliaman was using PPP funds for non-business expenses such as rent, personal travel, and other private purchases, with prosecutors also citing, “large cash withdrawals inconsistent with legitimate business expenses.”
Suliaman is being represented by Harvey Steinberg, former defense attorney for former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters. Steinberg told 9News, “at the end of the day we believe we will be vindicated.”
The government created a program that was ripe for abuse, and the program was abused. Suliaman, who, importantly, has not yet had his day in court, is definitely not the only Colorado business to have abused this program.
Will there be additional arrests and accountability for defrauding taxpayers?
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