Marcus Evans, Inc. Agrees to Pay $2.8 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations Relating to Paycheck Protection Program Loans

Wilmington, Del. - Marcus Evans, Inc. ("Marcus Evans"), a Delaware corporation, has agreed to pay $2,857,081.33 to resolve allegations that it improperly obtained a Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP") loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration ("SBA") for which it was 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. To be eligible for a PPP loan, a business was required to certify that it had no more than 300 employees, including employees of all domestic and foreign affiliates.

Marcus Evans is part of the Marcus Evans Group, a global business intelligence and events company that provides management services including conferences, professional training, and business-to-business summits across a variety of industries.

On March 17, 2021, Marcus Evans applied for and received a $1,826,000 PPP loan after falsely certifying that it, together with its affiliates, had fewer than 300 employees. Marcus Evans later sought and obtained full forgiveness of that loan from SBA. Marcus Evans was ineligible for the loan, however, because together with its domestic and foreign affiliates, it had over 300 employees.

U.S. Attorney Benjamin L. Wallace announced the settlement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob Laksin handled the case, with assistance from Christopher J. McClintock of the SBA.

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.

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. 25-413-CFC.

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