Michigan Man Sentenced to 70 Months for Pandemic Relief Fraud

WILMINGTON, Del. - A Michigan man was sentenced on October 20, 2026, to 70 months in federal prison for his role in a scheme to defraud the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Hall imposed the sentence.

According to court documents, Carl Lawrence, 50, of Kentwood, Michigan, ran a business-consulting firm. Over the internet, Lawrence met Jady Solano, a Wilmington tax preparer, and the two conspired to defraud the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), a COVID-19 relief program designed to safeguard jobs during the pandemic. Lawrence referred his consulting clients to Solano, who prepared fraudulent applications on their behalf. Lawrence also personally falsified documents for inclusion in the applications.

In total, Lawrence assisted with 29 fraudulent applications, resulting in more than $4.7 million in wrongful loan disbursements. Lawrence personally made nearly $450,000 through the scheme, all of which he has been ordered to forfeit to the government. The total scheme led by Lawrence and Solano obtained approximately $9.1 million in pandemic relief funds.

Across two charging instruments, eight members of the scheme have been charged:

"Stealing taxpayer money is always a serious crime," said U.S. Attorney Benjamin L. Wallace. "But it is particularly serious when that money was meant to keep hardworking Americans employed during a pandemic. Carl Lawrence stole, and helped others steal, millions in disaster-relief funds. He'll now spend years in federal prison, and, upon release, he'll be forced to pay back every cent of his ill-gotten gains. I extend my thanks to our law-enforcement partners at IRS-CI and FBI. Together, we will tirelessly pursue anyone who seeks to plunder the public till."

"Carl Lawrence thought he could dupe the federal government and swindle American taxpayers. Instead, every dollar he stole will be forfeited and federal prison will be his home for the next six years," said FBI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul. "The FBI and our partners are committed to finding fraudsters and ensuring they are held accountable for their crimes."

"Carl Lawrence and others deliberately carried out a scheme to defraud a program that was implemented to assist people during a pandemic," said Philadelphia Field Office Special Agent in Charge Yury Kruty. "This sentencing holds Mr. Lawrence accountable for his criminal actions and shows that our office is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute individuals who commit these crimes."

Upon Lawrence's release from prison, he will be required to serve three years of supervised release. The Court also ordered restitution in the amount of $4,736,088.37 and a forfeiture money judgement of $447,061.77.

Agents of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation and the FBI Baltimore Field Office's Wilmington Resident Agency investigated the case. U.S. Attorney Wallace and Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan C. Williamson prosecuted the case.

On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division ("Fraud Division"). The Fraud Division is investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department's work to combat fraud supports President Trump's Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District CourtLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. for the District of Delaware or on PACERLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. by searching for Case No. 1:24-cr-109-JLH.

For any defendant who has been indicted and not adjudicated guilty, his or her involvement in the fraud scheme described above is merely an allegation, and he or she is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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