PPP Loan Fraud Results in a Georgia Trucker’s Prison Sentence

Georgia Trucker Jailed for PPP Loan Fraud

Roderick Bashon Billingslea, Jr., a trucker from Georgia, has been sentenced to federal prison. He was caught cheating the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and running illegal trucking companies. This case shows how serious the consequences can be for misusing government money and breaking safety rules.

PPP Loan Fraud: What Happened

Roderick Billingslea, 30, from Dacula, Georgia, ran trucking businesses that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) found unsafe. In January 2020, the DOT ordered Billingslea’s business, Billingslea’s Inc., to stop all operations because of safety problems. They also told him he couldn’t start any new trucking businesses.

But Billingslea didn’t listen. Instead, he set up several new trucking companies using fake names and addresses. He ran these businesses in secret. He hired truck drivers who didn’t know they were working for illegal companies. Billingslea kept using drivers until they got into trouble with DOT, then replaced them with new ones.

Cheating the PPP Loan

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Billingslea applied for a PPP loan to help his business. In June 2020, he asked for $564,363 by lying on his application. He claimed that his business wasn’t barred from operating, which wasn’t true. He also lied about how many people worked for him and how much they were paid to get more money.

Billingslea used this money to keep his illegal trucking companies going. In April 2022, he got the loan forgiven by submitting fake tax documents.

Sentencing and Punishment

On August 13, 2024, a judge sentenced Billingslea to two years and six months in federal prison. After that, he will have three years of supervised release. He also has to pay back $591,668.89 and cover the cost of his time in prison, which is $49,770 per year. Billingslea pleaded guilty to wire fraud and falsifying records, leading to his conviction in April 2024.

Why This Matters

This case shows that federal agencies are serious about stopping fraud. U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan said, “Billingslea falsified documents in order to receive PPP funds to operate illegal and unsafe businesses that he was ordered to stop operating. He has now been held accountable for his crimes.”

Joseph Harris, a Special Agent in Charge at the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, said that this sentence should be a warning to others who might break trucking safety rules and federal laws.

Amaleka McCall-Braithwaite, a Special Agent in Charge at the SBA OIG’s Eastern Region, stressed how important it is to protect taxpayer money. She said they will keep going after people who misuse important resources. Frederick D. Houston, a Special Agent in Charge at the U.S. Secret Service Atlanta Field Office, said they are committed to stopping fraud, especially related to pandemic relief programs.

Fighting Pandemic-Related Fraud

This case is part of a bigger effort to fight fraud during the pandemic. In May 2021, the Attorney General set up the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force. This group works with other government agencies to find and punish those involved in pandemic-related fraud. The task force also helps prevent fraud in relief programs by improving coordination and sharing what they learn from past cases.

Reporting Fraud

If you suspect PPP loan fraud or other illegal activities, you can report them to the DOT OIG’s Hotline at www.oig.dot.gov/hotline. You can also report fraud involving COVID-19 relief programs by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or through the NCDF Web Complaint Form at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.