(The Center Square) – A Las Vegas, Nevada man will serve a 27-month prison sentence in Oregon after being convicted of stealing $163,100 in federal COVID-19 relief funds meant for small businesses.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon said Justin David Goulet, 36, registered a fake independent contractor company and submitted illegitimate tax filings to the Small Business Administration in order to “substantiate robust (and fictional) revenues and payrolls.”
Goulet was able to secure $163,100 in funding through the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans after applying twice.
“Goulet used most of the $163,000 he obtained on travel, living expenses, cars, and illegal drugs,” the office said, noting he was previously imprisoned for felony forgery and theft and has “a lengthy criminal history.”
Goulet was indicted on wire fraud charges by a federal grand jury in Portland in early 2022 and pleaded guilty in August of that year.
He must pay $163,100 back to the SBA, the office said.
