PITTSBURGH, PA — Two residents of Washington, Pennsylvania have been sentenced on their convictions of conspiracy to defraud the United States. The sentencing was announced by United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan on Wednesday, January 10, 2024.
United States District Judge W. Scott Hardy imposed a sentence of three years probation on both defendants – Julia Jolly, 37, and Ethan Gordon, 30. In addition, the court ordered the pair to pay joint restitution of $61,852.
The case unfolded as Gordon and Jolly agreed to submit false Payroll Protection Program (PPP) loan applications. These loans were part of the COVID-19 pandemic relief measures administered by the Small Business Administration to help businesses keep their workforce employed during the crisis.
Two false applications were submitted, one in Gordon’s name and another in Jolly’s name. This deceit resulted in a combined loss of over $60,000 to the government, a sum that was originally earmarked to support business owners grappling with the economic fallout from the pandemic.
Assistant United States Attorneys Gregory C. Melucci and William B. Guappone prosecuted these cases on behalf of the government, underlining the seriousness with which such fraudulent activities are treated.
In his remarks, United States Attorney Olshan commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation for their diligent investigation, which led to the successful prosecution of Jolly and Gordon.
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