The owners of several trucking and trucking-related companies recetly pleaded guilty in connection with illegally receiving federal funds connected to the COVID-19 outbreak.
A West Chester couple pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court Monday, June 16, to committing wire fraud to obtain pandemic relief funds.
Ajay Chawla, 60, and his wife, Ruhi Chawla, 50, admitted they fraudulently received more than $900,000 in pandemic relief funds. Specifically, they received four Payroll Protection Plan (PPP) loans and three Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL).
According to court documents, on their loan applications, the Chawlas falsely reported the number of employees and gross revenues for their businesses: Prime Transportation and Logistics Inc., ABC Trucking Inc., Apex Truck Lines LLC and A1 Diesel Truck Repair LLC. Ajay Chawla also submitted a false statement to Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regarding the ownership of Apex Truck Lines.
“The investigative efforts of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) and its partners, along with the prosecutorial work of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, demonstrate the commitment to pursuing, capturing, and prosecuting those who try to defraud the American people,” said TIGTA Special Agent-in-Charge Kelly Moening.
“Today’s guilty pleas underscore our steadfast commitment to identifying and addressing fraud that undermines the integrity of Department of Transportation programs and requirements,” said Anthony Licari, Special Agent in Charge, Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, Midwestern Region. “Greed has no place in pandemic relief programs, and together with our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners, we will continue to hold offenders accountable.”
The couple were charged in March 2025 by a bill of information.
Wire fraud is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors at a future hearing.
Credit: Source link
