A Hammond, Louisiana resident has been charged with making false statements and theft of government funds in connection with relief programs under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that Darrell Harland, 43, was charged on October 15, 2025.
The CARES Act was enacted on March 27, 2020 to provide emergency assistance for small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), administered by the United States Small Business Administration (SBA), was a major funding source for these businesses.
According to charging documents, Harland allegedly submitted false information to an approved lender on April 19, 2021 in order to secure approximately $20,833 through a PPP loan for his business. Additionally, on April 8, 2020, he is accused of obtaining an Economic Injury Disaster Loan from the SBA totaling $127,200 based on false claims regarding employee numbers and gross revenues.
Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson stated: “A bill of information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.” If convicted, Harland could face up to five years in prison for the false statement count and up to ten years for money laundering. Each count also carries potential fines of up to $250,000, up to three years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.
For further details about the Department of Justice’s efforts related to pandemic response and reporting fraud allegations involving COVID-19 relief funds, individuals can visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus or contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud at 866-720-5721 or via https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
Simpson commended the United States Secret Service for its investigation into this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward J. Rivera from the Financial Crimes Unit is handling the prosecution.
