Investigations

On November 30, 2021, in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia, Dereen Porch pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud. The investigation determined that Porch devised a scheme to defraud the Small Business Administration (SBA) using false statements and fraudulent pretenses related to a loan/grant request under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Porch allegedly submitted loan/grant applications on behalf of sham transportation companies in an attempt to steal approximately $364,200 from SBA.

 

DOT-OIG is conducting this investigation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Internal Revenue Service, and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.