Boston official used PPP loan for rent, Uber Eats and child support, feds say
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Federal authorities say the city of Boston's head of security filed a fraudulent pandemic loan application and used over $20,000 in taxpayer funds on personal expenses.
Between the lines: U.S. Attorney Leah Foley's office announced the charges and plea agreement in one fell swoop Thursday afternoon, weeks after quietly proposing a plea agreement.
Driving the news: Reuben Taylor, the director of the city's Municipal Protective Services, was charged with one count of wire fraud last month, per Foley's office.
- His charges stem from a Paycheck Protection Program loan application in 2021, in which he claimed to be working as an auto mechanic who lost work during the pandemic, per Foley's office.
- Taylor has worked for the MPS since 2008. (The mayor's office did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.)
Yes, but: Taylor agreed to plead guilty, according to federal court filings.
- In exchange, federal prosecutors asked the court to sentence Taylor to one year of probation, order him to pay $20,890.07 in restitution for principal and interest and impose a $100 assessment, per a Sept. 25 court filing.
- Taylor did not immediately respond to a phone call or emails from Axios. Court records do not appear to show a defense attorney listed for him.
Zoom in: Taylor, 40, of Boston, applied for a PPP loan on April 23, 2021, claiming he had earned $99,863 as an independent contractor in 2019, per court records.
- Authorities say he submitted fabricated tax forms, even though federal tax records show he earned $97,561 in wages as a municipal police officer that year.
- Taylor received a $20,804 PPP loan from the Small Business Administration in May, per court records. He allegedly applied for loan forgiveness in September and was approved after claiming the money had been spent on payroll for his business.
Follow the money: Taylor spent the funds in less than two weeks.
- He used it to cover rent and child support, as well as on clothing, restaurants, Uber Eats and other personal expenses, per court records.
What's next: A plea hearing is expected later this fall.