SCRANTON, PA — Nora Barile, age 43, of Lehighton, PA, pleaded guilty on September 20, 2023, before United States District Judge Malachy E. Mannion, to wire fraud in connection with her submission of a false COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) application.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the criminal Information to which Barile pleaded guilty alleges that on dates in May 2020 and June 2022, on behalf of her business Helping Hands Cleaning Services and Home Improvement, Barile submitted to the United States Small Business Association (“SBA”) a false EIDL application (with amended and supplemental filings) containing material misrepresentations. In reliance on her certification that she would use the EIDL funds for business purposes, the SBA awarded Barile approximately $67,400.00 in COVID-19 relief funds over the two-year period. Barile acknowledged that she used these funds for purely personal expenses. Pursuant to the terms of her plea agreement with the United States, Barile agreed to make full restitution to the SBA.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Philadelphia Division. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffery St John.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 20 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
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