A Virginia senior NASA employee has pleaded guilty to using the PPP loan to pay off several debts which included a minivan along with filing for unemployment.
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Andrew Tenza, 36, worked as a senior executive service employee for the space program and filed numerous loans to receive money after learning how to allegedly manipulate the system due to the pandemic. On Monday, he pleaded guilty to submitting fraudulent applications and collecting over $350,000 in COVID economic loans, and filing for unemployment. Officials reported he submitted three Paycheck Protection Program loans and filed a false Financial Disclosure Report with his employer.
He also submitted two more applications for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program and received $69,500. Tenza used the funds to pay off his credit card bills, a minivan, a dog breeder, and a down payment for a brand new car. For his unemployment benefits, Tezna received $15,950 in total.
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He is facing 30 years in prison for the various charges and his sentencing is scheduled for July 16. Acting U.S. Attorney Raj Parekh said in a statement that Tenza used the loans as his personal piggy bank to pay off his personal expenses.
“He essentially treated COVID-19 relief programs as a personal piggy bank, using funds intended to provide pandemic relief for small businesses and the unemployed to pay down his credit card debt, pay off loans for a residential pool and minivan, and pay a dog-breeder, among other personal expenses. EDVA will continue to hold accountable individuals who exploit a national economic crisis in order to unlawfully enrich themselves at the expense of those in genuine need due to the pandemic.”
SOURCE: WUSA9 News