A federal grand jury has indicted a 24-year-old Upstate New York man on charges he defrauded financial institutions and the Small Business Administration out of more than $140,000 through fraudulent pandemic loan applications.
Brandon Millender of Buffalo faces 10 counts, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and concealment money laundering. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine up to $500,000.
According to the indictment, Millender conspired with others between April 2021 and August 2025 to submit fraudulent Payroll Protection Program loan applications and forgiveness applications for non-existent businesses, including fake payroll expenses and revenue…