Criminal Defense Lawyers

Massachusetts PPP Loan Fraud Lawyers

Massachusetts PPP Loan Fraud and EIDL Loan Fraud Lawyers

Over 50 Years of Combined Experience in Federal Defense

If you’re on this website, it’s likely because you—or someone you love—are dealing with an unsettling reality: there may be a federal investigation surrounding you for alleged PPP or EIDL loan fraud. At Spodek Law Group, we get how terrifying and isolating this can feel. Our criminal defense attorneys have devoted their entire professional careers to standing up for clients who are facing uphill battles against federal prosecutors, and we refuse to let them walk all over you.

Federal Jurisdiction and Why It Matters

When you’re dealing with PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) or EIDL (Economic Injury Disaster Loan) allegations, your case will faill under federal jurisdiction. This means the Department of Justice (DOJ), the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Massachusetts, and other federal agencies—like the SBA (Small Business Administration)—are investigating your finances and business. Once this happens, the stakes are much higher. You could be charged under statutes like 18 U.S.C. § 1343 (Wire Fraud), 18 U.S.C. § 1344 (Bank Fraud), 18 U.S.C. § 1001 (False Statements), or 18 U.S.C. § 1956 (Money Laundering).

Each of these criminal charges carries the possibility of financial fines, restitution, and prison time. Complicating matters, you also have to deal with federal guidelines, mandatory minimums, and potential concurrent state charges—because, sometimes the Commonwealth of Massachusetts can choose to pursue overlapping criminal investigations alongside federal indictments. Our job is simple: protect you at every single turn.

We Understand

At Spodek Law Group, we know that life doesn’t pause just because you received a federal target letter. You still have a family to look after, a business to run, or simply the ongoing stress of not knowing what tomorrow brings. We understand your fear—and we believe our role extends beyond the courtroom. From the moment you pick up the phone for a risk-free consultation, we’re here to answer your urgent questions, discuss potential defense strategies, and steer you toward a path that preserves your life.

Todd Spodek, our managing partner and a second-generation attorney, has been featured on major media outlets like Fox 5, the New York Post, and Newsweek for his work on tough, high-stakes cases. Our combined 50+ years of experience isn’t just a number—it’s your assurance that we’ve handled cases with similar or even higher stakes, and we’ve come out on top.

Building Your Defense Strategy

No two PPP/EIDL fraud investigations are identical. Each case involves a unique set of documents, personal stories, and the government’s narrative of what allegedly went wrong. It’s our job to refute, dismantle, and ultimately defeat that story. Below, we delve into some of the nuanced defense strategies we often deploy on behalf of our Massachusetts clients.

1. Lack of Criminal Intent

In a staggering number of PPP/EIDL fraud investigations, the defendant had no intention of breaking the law. Maybe you were scrambling to pay employees, and a payroll calculation you submitted accidentally inflated certain figures. Or perhaps you misunderstood the SBA’s guidelines around how quickly the funds had to be used or documented. Remember, things were going fast during COVID and a lot of the SBA guidelines kept changing.

• Scenario Example: You run a busy restaurant in Boston, and you were so overwhelmed by the pandemic that you relied on an outside accountant who miscalculated your numbers. By demonstrating you acted in good faith—and pinpointing exactly how and why these numbers were skewed—we highlight the absence of willful intent.

2. Procedural Errors and Insufficient Evidence

The government’s case usually hinges on bank records, wire transfers, and data analysis that they believe connects the dots of a “fraudulent scheme.” Our criminal defense attorneys don’t just accept that evidence at face value. We tear it apart, line by line, looking for inconsistencies, missing links, or outright procedural flaws in how it was obtained. Our goal is to get evidence thrown out, in order to weaken the governments case.

• Motion to Suppress: If federal investigators exceeded the scope of a search warrant, or if the evidence was gathered in a way that violates the Fourth Amendment, we’ll push to have that evidence thrown out—potentially dismantling the entire prosecution.

3. Good Faith Compliance

When the federal government introduced the PPP and EIDL programs, the guidelines were very complex and changed frequently. If you made a sincere effort to comply with the rules—maybe you tried getting guidance from the SBA or documented legitimate payroll expenses—this can act as a powerful defense. Our team of criminal lawyers will look to bring in testimony from employees, accountants, or payroll specialists who can support your point of view, and shed light on your honest attempts to follow the law.

4. Entrapment or Government Overreach

While this is less commonly observed, there are instances where federal agents, or their informants, will try to push you into a corner—coercing you to file multiple applications or supply misleading data.

• Enticement to Commit Fraud: If an informant or undercover agent swayed you to cross the line into wrongdoing, and you wouldn’t have done so otherwise, we can raise an entrapment defense. Although entrapment claims require very specific facts, it can be a decisive strategy if your situation qualifies.

5. Negotiated Resolutions and Plea Bargains

While we aim for case dismissal or a “not guilty” verdict whenever possible, sometimes the most safest route involves a carefully negotiated plea. Our deep knowledge of the Federal Sentencing Guidelines means we know how to argue for reduced charges, fewer counts, or less severe sentencing ranges—especially if you have no prior record and the allegations hinge on unintentional errors.

• Reducing Multiple Charges: For instance, if the government charges you with both wire fraud and bank fraud, we may negotiate a plea to a single count that carries a lesser maximum sentence, all while highlighting mitigating factors like cooperation and restitution.

Roleplaying Different Scenarios

We believe real-world examples best illustrate how these strategies come to life in Massachusetts federal cases.

1. Boston Startup Confusion
   • Your software startup in Boston, in a desperate bid to preserve capital, applied for a PPP loan without fully looking into external consultant who was going to help you. This consultant might have exaggerated your headcount or your business expenses. The government then comes reaches out to you with allegations you participated in a “criminal conspiracy.” We’d target the consultant’s role, question the thoroughness of the government’s investigation, and produce internal emails proving your reliance on professional advice.
2. Multiple Overlapping Loans
   • A small construction company in Springfield accidentally applied for both PPP and EIDL loans with different banks, never intending to “double dip.” But they didn’t know, and just fired off applications everywhere. You realized the oversight too late and tried to rectify the situation—but the SBA flagged it. We’d compile a paper trail showing you withdrew or refunded one of the loans upon discovering the error. This evidence can show a lack of fraudulent intent.
3. Challenging Evidence Collection
   • Federal agents might seize your mobile device claiming you doctored payroll logs. If they didn’t follow proper chain-of-custody, or used an overly broad warrant, we’d file motions to suppress that evidence. If the primary basis of the government’s case is an improperly acquired document, we can knock out the prosecution’s foundation altogether.

Why Choose Spodek Law Group for Massachusetts PPP/EIDL Fraud Cases

We recognize you have many options when searching for a criminal defense attorney in Massachusetts to deal with your PPP loan fraud case. However, few criminal defense law firms offer what we have – national presence, digital infrastructure, and cutting edge strategies that we provide.

• Nationwide Experience, Local Focus: We’ve successfully defended clients coast-to-coast in complex federal cases. Still, we understand the specific nuances of federal courts in Massachusetts and how local prosecutors think.
• Digital-First Approach: Our cloud-based portal means you can access documents, invoices, and ongoing communications with our attorneys wherever you are, 24/7.
• Rock Star Team of Attorneys: Managing Partner Todd Spodek is a second-generation attorney known for taking on challenging, high-profile cases many believed couldn’t be won—and still coming out ahead.
• Selective Representation: Unlike “law firm mills” that take every case, we carefully vet prospective clients. If we genuinely believe we can help you, we’ll pour our time, energy into creating the best possible defense.

Time is your enemy in federal investigations. The more quickly you involve a knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer, the better we can protect you, coordinate evidence gathering, and negotiate with prosecutors.

1. Call Us ASAP: We’re available around the clock, and we offer a risk-free consultation where you can share details about your situation.
2. Gather Documents: Bank statements, loan applications, emails, payroll logs—everything you think might be needed to deal with the situation. Don’t omit or hide anything; we need the full story to defend you effectively.
3. Let Us Do the Lifting: Once you retain our services, we’ll take over the conversation with investigators, handle pre-trial motions, and guide you through every step of the legal process.

The Spodek Law Group Commitment

Being accused of PPP or EIDL loan fraud can be devastating, but you don’t have to deal with it alone. At Spodek Law Group, our attorneys focus on providing a client-centered approach that begins with listening to you—understanding your fears, your goals, and the specifics behind your case. We pride ourselves on thoroughness, honesty, and the courage to challenge prosecutors every step of the way.

If you or a loved one is under investigation—or if you’ve already been indicted—contact us now. Let our 50+ years of combined experience guide you.

Spodek Law Group: Fighting for you every step of the way.