Houston hair extension entrepreneur convicted on $1.9M in PPP loan fraud – Houston Chronicle
Millions of local business hurried to look for government help to maintain themselves afloat in the very early months of the pandemic. Lola Shalewa Barbara Kasali, a Houston businesswoman, was amongst that crowd, submitting 2 applications looking for almost $4 million in aid for her hair expansions organizations, government authorities say.After 2 hrs
of consideration, a government court on Wednesday founded guilty 24-year-old Kasali of 2 matters of making incorrect declarations to a banks and also 2 matters of financial institution fraudulence in connection with Paycheck Protection Program car loans.
James Stafford, among Kasali’s defense attorney, stated in an e-mail her lawful group appreciates the court’s judgment yet intends to appeal. Stafford said at test that the prosecution really did not verify Kasali was the individual that submitted the applications, just that they were sent in her name. The protection competes somebody made use of Kasali’s identification to submit the documents, Stafford stated.
It was June 2020 when Kasali got help for Lola’s Level and also Charm Hair Extensions mentioning one organization’ pay-roll costs balanced $775,000 monthly and also the various other paid its employees greater than $750,000 each month, documents reveal. She created on the applications that collectively both companies had 107 staff members, according to court records.
She obtained greater than $1.9 million in PPP lending financing, every one of which the Justice Department stated was gotten based upon incorrect details
District attorneys provided proof that there was no document of staff members aside from Kasali at these services. Proof in the event showed Kasali sent deceptive tax obligation documents for Lola’s Level to support her insurance claims, yet there is no document of business sending tax return to the IRS. She additionally sent incorrect paperwork on her Charm Hair Extensions application, according to a court file.
Kasali’s sentencing is arranged for Feb. 25. Each matter brings an optimum jail sentence of as much as 30 years, authorities claimed.
Kasali’s funds were taken by federal government authorities, according to a launch. The Justice Department’s scams area has actually prosecuted greater than 150 offenders in greater than 95 criminal situations as well as took greater than $75 million in fraudulently acquired PPP funds. Authorities have actually likewise taken various realty homes and also deluxe products acquired with fraudulently acquired funds under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and also Economic Security Act.
Since December, the COVID alleviation program has actually paid entrepreneur greater than $634.4 billion in PPP fundings.
Gabrielle Banks added to this record.
It was June 2020 when Kasali used for help for Lola’s Level as well as Charm Hair Extensions specifying one service’ pay-roll expenditures balanced $775,000 per month as well as the various other paid its employees even more than $750,000 per month, documents reveal. District attorneys offered proof that there was no document of workers various other than Kasali at these companies. Proof in the instance showed Kasali sent illegal tax obligation documents for Lola’s Level to back up her cases, however there is no document of the company sending tax obligation kinds to the IRS.
