The last of three defendants appeared in Miami federal court to face charges related to a scheme to fraudulently obtain Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. The PPP was established to provide economic relief to small businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to the indictment, Guillermo Lopez Carrazana, Christian Mendoza, and Max Alberto Mera Ulloa, all from Miami-Dade County, allegedly conspired between May 2020 and March 2021 to submit over 165 false PPP loan applications to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA administered this emergency relief program under the CARES Act, aiming to help businesses maintain payroll and cover essential expenses during the pandemic. It is alleged that the defendants secured $6.5 million through fraudulent means.
The indictment claims that Carrazana, Mendoza—a tax preparer—and Ulloa owned various businesses such as G LUX LLC, Global Tax & Accounting Group Corp, CM Logistics Systems LLC, and Max Mera Corporation. They allegedly submitted fraudulent loan applications misrepresenting payroll and employee information for financial gain.
Additionally, it is alleged that the defendants engaged in a kickback scheme by offering payments for referrals of additional participants in their fraudulent activities. The funds obtained were reportedly not used for their intended purposes but rather for personal enrichment.
U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida announced these charges alongside Special Agent in Charge Brett D. Skiles of the FBI's Miami Field Office and Special Agent in Charge Emmanuel Gomez of IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Miami Field Office.
The investigation is being conducted by FBI Miami and IRS-CI Miami Field Office with Assistant U.S. Attorney Roger Cruz prosecuting the case.
It is important to note that an indictment is merely an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
For further details on related court documents and information, visit the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 25-cr-20178.