Yesterday, Yulonda Eckel, a 56-year-old resident of Ann Arbor, entered a guilty plea in Lansing for fraudulently acquiring two Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced the development. Eckel pleaded guilty to two counts of False Pretenses ranging from $1,000 to $20,000 and one count of Taxes – Making/Permitting a False Return. As part of her plea agreement, she agreed to a restitution order amounting to $47,660 and has already paid $25,827 prior to entering her plea.
Eckel's fraudulent activity involved applying for and receiving two PPP loans by falsely claiming she was a sole proprietor with an income of $104,900 from her business in 2020. However, an investigation revealed that she did not operate such a business. The investigation was conducted by the Attorney General's office in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General.
"Funds from government programs designed to support small businesses should not be siphoned away by individuals for their own personal gain," stated Nessel. "I am thankful for the investigative efforts of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General that were instrumental in securing this plea. My department remains committed to protecting taxpayer dollars and government aid."
Eckel is scheduled for sentencing on January 16, 2025, at the 22nd Circuit Court in Washtenaw County under Judge Arianne Slay.