A Massachusetts tax preparation business is facing federal charges and is accused of cashing in on the COVID-19 pandemic by stealing millions of dollars in taxpayer-funded relief.According to federal prosecutors, the scheme targeted the Paycheck Protection Program, which was created to help struggling small businesses survive the economic fallout of COVID. Investigators say the operation occurred in Massachusetts and Florida and involved dozens of fraudulent loan applications. Court documents state that Lorne Johnson of Massachusetts, who operated On the Go Tax Services, and three co-defendants recruited borrowers, prepared false paperwork, and inflated incomes to fraudulently qualify for PPP loans.Authorities say the group then took a cut of the loan proceeds.Investigators believe many of the borrowers knew the applications were fraudulent and willingly participated in the scheme.The defendants have been arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud.We reached out to Johnson’s attorney for comment and are waiting to hear back.
A Massachusetts tax preparation business is facing federal charges and is accused of cashing in on the COVID-19 pandemic by stealing millions of dollars in taxpayer-funded relief.
According to federal prosecutors, the scheme targeted the Paycheck Protection Program, which was created to help struggling small businesses survive the economic fallout of COVID.
Investigators say the operation occurred in Massachusetts and Florida and involved dozens of fraudulent loan applications.
Court documents state that Lorne Johnson of Massachusetts, who operated On the Go Tax Services, and three co-defendants recruited borrowers, prepared false paperwork, and inflated incomes to fraudulently qualify for PPP loans.
Authorities say the group then took a cut of the loan proceeds.
Investigators believe many of the borrowers knew the applications were fraudulent and willingly participated in the scheme.
The defendants have been arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
We reached out to Johnson’s attorney for comment and are waiting to hear back.
date: 2026-02-10 00:36:00
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