A Department of Energy employee has agreed to pay more than $96,000 to resolve claims that she violated federal law by submitting false information to the U.S. government to obtain a small-business loan.
Lisa Phillips “made several material misrepresentations” when she filed an application under a Small Business Administration program meant to help businesses recover from the Covid-19 pandemic, the Department of Justice said in a news release Wednesday.
The Small Business Administration offered targeted funding during the pandemic, including the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and EIDL Advance programs. The loan option for small businesses was for items such as normal operating expenses and working capital. EIDL Advance funds were focused on existing EIDL applicants who met certain criteria.
The claims resolved by the settlement agreement are allegations, DOJ said in the release. Phillips received a $26,200 loan as well as a $4,000 advance, according to DOJ. The department said Phillips “knew that she did not own or operate a business in the Educational Services industry.”
