U.S. District Judge Rodney W. Sippel has sentenced a former professional basketball player, Lorenzo Gordon, to five years of probation for pandemic loan fraud. The sentencing also includes 200 hours of community service and restitution amounting to $308,354.
Gordon, aged 41, applied for two loans from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and three from the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program in 2020 under false pretenses. These programs were established to support businesses and their employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The fraudulent applications were made in the names of three companies: Logo Fitness LLC, Elite 50 Basketball Training LLC, and Elite Health and Fitness Company LLC. Gordon received $107,074 through PPP loans and $165,700 via EIDL loans and advances. The restitution amount includes fees and interest.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Klocke stated that Gordon “took advantage of these programs for his personal gain despite suffering no such economic injury,” which harmed “those who truly needed those funds.”
In September, Gordon pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one felony count of theft of government money.
The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service and the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Klocke led the prosecution.