Former Rapids Theatre owner pleads guilty to $1.8 million in COVID relief fraud
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The former owner of the Rapids Theatre pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud after receiving more than $1.8 million in COVID-19 relief funds from fraudulent loan applications, the United States District Attorney's Office announced.
John L. Hutchins, of Lewiston, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud. He faces a maximum of 30 years in prison and a fine that could reach $1 million.
According to the United States District Attorney's Office, Hutchins and co-defendant Roberto Soliman filed fraudulent loan applications with the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (EIDL), the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG).
Between March and August 2020, Hutchins and Soliman received the following loans:
Five Economic Injury Disaster loans adding up to $779,500
SVOG loans adding up to $989,905
PPP loans adding up to $115,978
Hutchins and Soliman submitted false accounting figures on the loan applications, the United States District Attorney's Office said.
The City of Niagara Falls bought the Rapids Theatre out of foreclosure in November, according to Buffalo Business First.
The theater, originally known as Shea's Bellevue Theatre, opened in 1921. After several different iterations over the decades, it reopened as a rock music venue in 2004 as The Dome Theatre before becoming The Rapids Theatre in 2009. Bands such as Stone Temple Pilots, The Deftones and Our Lady Peace played shows during its time as The Rapids Theatre.
Charges are pending against Soliman, the United States District Attorney's Office said.
***
Mark Ludwiczak joined the News 4 team in 2024. He is a veteran journalist with two decades of experience in Buffalo. You can follow him online at @marklud12.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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