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Michigan businessman convicted of PPP loan fraud by federal jury

Businessman owned several automotive repair service locations and gas stations

A federal jury convicted Michigan businessman Dale Thrush of Farwell of wire fraud for fraudulently obtaining a Payroll Protection Program (PPP) loan and loan forgiveness. (Canva Pro)

A federal jury convicted Michigan businessman Dale Thrush of Farwell of wire fraud for fraudulently obtaining a Payroll Protection Program (PPP) loan and loan forgiveness.

Court documents said Thrush owned and operated several automotive repair service locations and a gas station.

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From approximately February 2021 through September 2021, Thrush defrauded the Small Business Administration (SBA) by falsely representing a bank and the SBA in an application for a PPP loan that he was not subject to an indictment, when in fact, he was, and then by seeking forgiveness of that loan.

The PPP was enacted as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, a law designed to provide emergency financial assistance to millions of Americans experiencing the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thrush is scheduled to be sentenced on July 17, 2025. He faces a maximum penalty for wire fraud of 20 years in prison.

A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.


About the Author
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Brandon Carr is a digital content producer for ClickOnDetroit and has been with WDIV Local 4 since November 2021. Brandon is the 2015 Solomon Kinloch Humanitarian award recipient for Community Service.