An Alabama restaurant owner has pleaded guilty after admitting that he fraudulently obtained approximately $866,500 from federal COVID relief programs and used part of the money for purposes the programs did not allow.
Cesar Campos-Reyes, 52, of Auburn, admitted fraudulently applying for and receiving money through the Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loan program in May 2020. The programs were created to provide financial assistance to eligible small businesses affected by the pandemic.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Alabama said Campos-Reyes used $262,145.20 of the relief money the following month to purchase real estate in Opelika instead of using the funds for their intended purposes…