Former Georgia lawyer admits to COVID-19 fund scam, real estate scandal
Sanjay Patel, a former attorney based in Georgia, has pleaded guilty to fraudulently acquiring nearly $300,000 in Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) during the COVID-19 pandemic and laundering over $250,000 through his attorney escrow account from unrelated investor fraud schemes. U. S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan criticized Patel for abusing his professional status to engage in money laundering and defrauding the American taxpayer.
Prosecutors revealed that Patel submitted four fraudulent EIDL applications to the Small Business Administration (SBA) between August 2020 and March 2021, seeking at least $421,000. In these applications, he misrepresented key information about his law firm, Worden & Associates, including its employee count and gross revenues. This case is part of a larger effort by federal authorities to combat fraud related to pandemic relief funds, which were designed to support struggling small businesses. Patel's actions have raised concerns about the integrity of government programs intended to provide financial assistance during crises. The guilty plea underscores the importance of oversight and accountability in the distribution of relief funds.
Authorities remain vigilant in their efforts to identify and prosecute those who exploit such programs.