Four Cook County employees committed “financial fraud directed at the federal government” by wrongly collecting roughly $120,000 in payroll protection plan loans intended to help businesses survive the pandemic, according to a report from the county’s inspector general.
People walk past City Hall and the County Building on Sept. 3, 2020, in Chicago's Loop.
The employees were not named in the report. But it noted that three work in offices under Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle that handle sensitive financial matters, while a fourth works at the county’s Board of Review.The federal paycheck protection program was rife with fraud, with some experts estimating $80 billion in loans
They found that a Department of Revenue employee received two PPP loans that totaled nearly $39,000 by saying she was “self-employed,” according to the report. That employee later admitted “that she falsely claimed to own a business that did not exist in order to obtain funds through a federal PPP loan,” and “improperly spending those funds on personal expenses,” the report stated.
The employee admitted using the money “for personal family vacations … on several occasions,” the report says. She also had failed to report to the county that she had a second job, the report said.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
COVID-19 Risk Rises Again Across Chicago, Cook County, as Cases Jump and Hospitalizations RiseChicago Department of Public Health officials recommend that residents wear masks indoors and on public transportation to reduce their risk of contracting COVID-19 and ensure they are up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines.
Read more »
Cook County Urges Residents to Take Precautions as Highly Contagious Variants SpreadWith continued spread of the highly contagious BA.4 and BA.5 omicron subvariants, Cook County health officials are “strongly recommending” residents take added precautions.
Read more »
Wilcox County man killed in ATV crash in Monroe CountyA 38-year-old Wilcox County man died after the all-terrain vehicle he was driving left the roadway and hit a tree in Monroe County, authorities said.
Read more »
Monkeypox cases rise to 14 in Dallas CountyThis is up from previously the reported 4 monekypox cases.
Read more »
$5,000 reward offered in animal cruelty case in Nassau County: 'The worst thing I've ever seen'Investigators are searching for the person who abused a dog that was left on the steps of a Nassau County animal rescue center. As HsuTV reports, the SPCA is offering a reward for help.
Read more »
'Dereliction of Duty': Man Poised to Lose His Arm Accuses Denton County Jail of Medical NeglectA former inmate at the Denton County Jail said medical neglect has led to him needing to have his arm amputated.
Read more »