A Robeson County man, Phillip Collins, 47, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud after stealing over $170,000 from the Small Business Administration's Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) through fraudulent COVID-19 loan applications. He faces a maximum of 30 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine when sentenced later this year, along with a $170,833 forfeiture money judgment.
Collins submitted false applications for a business located in Robeson County, misrepresenting the number of employees and gross revenues. He also provided fraudulent tax forms and bank statements. Following approval, the loan funds were disbursed into a personal account controlled by Collins.
U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle emphasized the ongoing commitment to prosecuting fraud against taxpayer-funded programs. "Although the government may have stopped doling out Covid money, our government continues to hand out billions in other loans, subsidies, and programs. This office will continue to hold accountable anyone who defrauds any of our taxpayer funded programs. Crime Doesn’t Pay! Cheaters. Never. Win," said Boyle. The FBI and IRS-CI investigated the case.