Latest news with #WendellDavis
Axios
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Axios
Native American programs protected from Trump's anti-DEI order, agencies say
Some Native American programs are exempt from President Trump's executive order targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, according to at least three federal agencies. Why it matters: The U.S. federal government has several treaties with more than 500 tribal nations, and many involve promises based on race, culture, and equity with Native Americans and Alaska Natives. Driving the news: The U.S. Small Business Administration said Tuesday that the order targeting DEI does not affect its services provided to Indigenous communities, per Tribal Business News. SBA General Counsel Wendell Davis issued a note earlier this month saying that the executive order does not apply to the agency's programs serving Native Americans. "It would be unreasonable to read it as applying to (Native Americans and Alaska Natives) given that Tribes are separate sovereigns," Davis wrote. Context: The note was a clarification to SBA Chief of Staff Wesley Coopersmith, following a request from the Native American Contractors Association, Tribal Business News reports. Zoom in: That note follows a similar notice issued by the Department of Health and Human Services shortly after Trump signed his anti-DEI order in January. HHS said the order does not apply to Indian Health Service programs. The agency then said in February that the executive order didn't affect its other federal programs serving Indigenous populations. The Department of the Interior also said the executive orders do not affect its legal obligations to tribes. State of play: Trump's sweeping executive order, issued as soon as he took office, revoked decades of federal diversity and affirmative action practices. The order called for the "termination of all discriminatory programs, including illegal DEI and 'diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility' (DEIA) mandates, policies, programs, preferences, and activities in the Federal Government." Yes, but: Various treaties and agreements call for the federal government to provide health care and other services to Indigenous communities. The SBA, for example, oversees numerous programs designed to support Native American entrepreneurs and businesses. The Trump administration has still eliminated other programs for Native Americans.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Wisconsin family office agrees to near $11 million settlement for PPP loan violations
WISCONSIN (WFRV) – A group of affiliated companies controlled by a family office in Wisconsin has agreed to pay nearly $11 million to settle allegations of violating the False Claims Act by submitting false certifications for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. On April 2, Barrington Venture Holding Company LLC, The Club at Strawberry Creek LLC, The Garlands of Barrington LLC, Nuestro Queso LLC, SSCO LLC, and Tire Profiles LLC agreed to settle the claims. Grassroots group in New London rallies in support of immigrant workers The settlement resolves allegations that four of these companies — The Club at Strawberry Creek LLC, The Garlands of Barrington LLC, Nuestro Queso LLC, and Tire Profiles LLC — falsely certified their eligibility for PPP loans. These companies collectively received six PPP loans totaling more than $5 million in principal, despite having more than 500 employees, which made them ineligible for the program. The PPP loan program, created in March 2020 through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, provided financial assistance to small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The loans could be forgiven if used on payroll and other eligible expenses, with the government repaying the borrower. Borrowers were required to certify their eligibility when applying for a loan and forgiveness, including an accurate employee count. Businesses with fewer than 500 employees were eligible for the loans, but businesses under common ownership or control had to aggregate employee counts. The U.S. government alleges that the family office companies knew they were ineligible for the PPP loans but applied anyway, taking steps to conceal their ineligibility. 'This settlement reflects the continuing commitment of the Department of Justice and the Small Business Administration to hold accountable businesses that abused this emergency program,' said Acting U.S. Attorney Frohling. Over 2,100 work zone crashes in Wisconsin last year, State Patrol issues safety reminder for 2025 SBA General Counsel Wendell Davis emphasized the collaborative efforts by federal agencies to recover the funds and impose penalties in such cases. The claims settled are allegations only, with no determination of liability made. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tarrant Co. concrete company agrees to pay $1.8M in COVID fund settlement
The Brief Tarrant County-based Speed Fab Crete agreed to pay the U.S. government $1.8 million to settle a lawsuit accusing them of fraudulently obtaining COVID-19 loans. The government claimed the company took out a $1.17 million loan while the company's owners were facing criminal charges, a violation of the Paycheck Protection Program. In 2020, the company's three owners and its chief financial officer pleaded guilty to hiring undocumented migrant workers. A Tarrant County concrete company has agreed to pay back more than $1.8 million in fraudulently obtained COVID-19 funds, the U.S. District Attorney's Office said. The backstory Speed Fab Crete Corporation, a precast manufacturer in Kennedale, Texas, agreed to pay back more than $1.8 million to settle a lawsuit claiming it fraudulently received loans through the Small Business Administration's Paycheck Protection Program. Prosecutors claimed the company applied for, and received $1.17 million in loans, while the company's owners were facing criminal charges in violation of the program's rules. What they're saying "This office is committed to finding and recovering PPP funds that were obtained by ineligible recipients during the pandemic," Acting United States Attorney Chad E. Meacham said. "We will continue to investigate and take action as necessary to reclaim those funds on behalf of the American taxpayer." The lawsuit was filed in the District Court of Northern Texas under the whistleblower clause of the False Claims Act. The False Claims Act allows the government to go after persons that make false claims to the government for up to three times the amount of damages caused to the government. "This settlement highlights the enhanced efforts of the SBA, working with the Department of Justice, SBA's Office of Inspector General, and other Federal law enforcement agencies, as well as private individuals who have information about possible fraud in connection with PPP loans, to pursue those who violated PPP program requirements and holding them accountable," SBA General Counsel Wendell Davis said. In 2020, Speed Fab Crete agreed to pay the federal government $3 million in connection with a scheme to hire undocumented migrants illegally. The company's three owners, its chief financial officer and the owner of a staffing company all pleaded guilty for their roles in the scheme. The company's CFO was later sentenced to three months in prison and fined $69,000. The Source Information in this article comes from the U.S. District Attorney's Office of Northern Texas. Information on the False Claims Act comes from the U.S. Department of Justice. Information about the 2020 hiring scheme comes from Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Information on the 2020 sentencing and fine of Speed Fab Crete comes from the Department of Justice.
