{"attachment":"","body":"<p><strong>ALBUQUERQUE</strong> – A New Mexico business owner has agreed to pay $3.2 million to resolve allegations that he violated the False Claims Act by misusing funds received through the Small Business Administration's Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, which was expanded under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.</p><p>The United States contends that <strong>Leonard Vandenberg</strong>, who owns and operates several restaurants in New Mexico and Texas, applied for and received three EIDL loans totaling $2,795,700.00 for his businesses. These loans were intended to be used for working capital and expenditures necessary to alleviate economic injury resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. However, after receiving the funds, <strong>Vandenberg</strong> allegedly moved the majority of the money into his personal investment accounts.</p><p>As part of the settlement, <strong>Vandenberg</strong> will pay $3,281,825.62, of which $2,731,750.26 is restitution. This amount will be applied to the balances of the EIDL loans and associated advances. Additionally, <strong>Vandenberg</strong> has agreed not to seek any assistance or support from or participate in any Small Business Administration program for a period of five years.</p><p>The government’s investigation was led by Assistant United States Attorney Cassandra C. Currie and Auditor Phillip Stella.</p><p><em>The claims resolved by the settlements are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.</em></p><p class=\"text-align-center\"># # #</p>","changed":"<time datetime=\"2025-01-14T14:41:08-05:00\">1736883668</time>\n","component":[{"name":"USAO - New Mexico","uuid":"c20534dd-eed9-4241-aab0-6c85656d760f"}],"created":"<time datetime=\"2025-01-14T11:49:26-05:00\">1736873366</time>\n","date":"1736856000","image":"","number":"25-11","teaser":"<p><strong>Leonard Vandenberg </strong>agreed to pay $3.2 million to resolve allegations that he violated the False Claims Act by misusing funds received through the Small Business Administration's Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, which was expanded under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.</p>","title":"New Mexican Business Owner Settles Allegations of COVID-19 Relief Fund Misuse with U.S. Attorney&#039;s Office ","topic":[{"name":"False Claims Act","uuid":"87816596-1bad-44b8-b138-df98755a6895"}],"url":"https://www.justice.gov/usao-nm/pr/new-mexican-business-owner-settles-allegations-covid-19-relief-fund-misuse-us-attorneys","uuid":"2ff42fd2-5057-45de-91b8-e79f30890534"}