Two Companies Agree to Pay Over $2.3 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations Relating to Paycheck Protection Program Loans

WILMINGTON, Del. - Mobile Programming LLC ("Mobile Programming"), a Wyoming corporation with its principal place of business in California, and A-1 Technology, Inc. ("A-1 Technology"), a Delaware corporation with its principal place of business in New York, have agreed to pay $2,353,391.06 to resolve allegations that they improperly obtained Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP") loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration ("SBA") for which they were not eligible.

PPP was an emergency loan program established by Congress in March 2020 under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, and administered by the SBA. The program was created to support small businesses and to help them continue to pay employees and meet other business expenses during the COVID-19 pandemic. A second round of loans was authorized in early 2021. To be eligible for these Second Draw PPP loans, a business was required to certify that it had no more than 300 employees, including employees of all domestic and foreign affiliates.

Mobile Programming applied for and received a $1,326,949 Second Draw PPP loan. A-1 Technology applied for and received a $184,287 Second Draw PPP loan. On their respective Second Draw loan applications, Mobile Programming and A-1 Technology certified that they, together with their affiliates, had fewer than 300 employees. Mobile Programming and A-1 Technology subsequently applied for (and ultimately received) forgiveness of their Second Draw loans. However, Mobile Programming and A-1 Technology, together with their domestic and foreign affiliates, had more than 300 employees.

U.S. Attorney Benjamin L. Wallace announced the settlement. Assistant United States Attorney Claudia L. Pare handled the case.

The civil settlement includes the resolution of claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act. Under those provisions, a private party-known as a relator-can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. In this case, the relator will receive a share of the settlement.

Individuals with information about allegations of fraud involving COVID-19 are encouraged to report it by calling the Department of Justice's National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

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. The settlement agreement is attached to this press release. 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. 25-cv-367-GBW.

The claims resolved by the settlement are merely allegations. There has been no determination of liability.