ROCKFORD, IL — A Rockford man was sentenced to three years in federal prison after he fraudulently obtained COVID relief loans and helped prepare false tax returns, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Absolm Hall, 37, pleaded guilty in December to charges of wire fraud, tax fraud and money laundering. In addition to being sentenced to three years in prison, Hall was ordered to repay $30,866 to the IRS of the $85,401 in Paycheck Protection Program funds he was accused of obtaining fraudulently.
Hall in 2020 and 2021 submitted multiple PPP loan applications that contained false statements and misrepresentations about his purported businesses, including gross revenue, payroll needs, and operational expenses to obtain the funds under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office also said Hall engaged in tax fraud by presenting himself as a tax preparer operating a purported business called “Lootland Tax Prep.” Even though Hall did not have an IRS-issued tax ID number toprepare federal income tax returns for others, he accepted compensation from clients in exchange for preparing their federal income tax returns.
Jeff Kolkey writes about government, economic development and other issues for the Rockford Register Star. He can be reached via email at jkolkey@rrstar.com and on X @jeffkolkey.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Rockford man sentenced to prison for COVID loan fraud
Reporting by Jeff Kolkey, Rockford Register Star / Rockford Register Star
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