All articles tagged with #covid 19 relief
Four Republicans joined Democrats in the US House to push for a vote on extending healthcare subsidies set to expire, risking increased premiums and uninsured Americans if not approved, with the measure facing uncertain prospects in the Senate.
The FBI searched the homes of defendants in a high-profile Minnesota fraud trial after a juror reported a $120,000 bribe attempt for a not guilty verdict. The defendants are accused of misusing millions in COVID-19 relief funds meant for feeding children. The investigation is ongoing, and the jury continues deliberations.
A jury in Minneapolis has yet to reach a verdict in the trial of seven individuals accused of stealing over $40 million from a COVID-19 relief program meant to feed children. The trial has been complicated by an attempted bribe involving a $120,000 cash gift to a juror. The FBI is investigating the bribe and has conducted searches, including at the home of one of the alleged ringleaders, Abdiaziz Shafii Farah. The defendants are part of a larger scheme that allegedly diverted $250 million in federal funds, with 18 others having already pleaded guilty.
Taylor Swift has made a generous donation to the Food Bank of the Rockies, providing enough funds for 75,000 meals. The nonprofit organization, which is currently facing increased demand due to the ongoing pandemic, expressed gratitude for Swift's support in addressing hunger in the region. The donation comes at a critical time when more people are experiencing food insecurity, with rising costs of living and the end of COVID-era relief measures. Swift has been actively donating to food banks across the United States during her Eras Tour.
Smoke from Canadian wildfires has caused poor air quality in cities like Chicago and Detroit, with the smoke expected to reach New York State. The Supreme Court has rejected a GOP argument that state lawmakers should have extraordinary powers over election rules, a win for voting rights groups. A report reveals that over $200 billion in COVID-19 relief loans and grants for small businesses have been stolen by fraudsters. Gen Z has nearly doubled their non-mortgage debt and tripled their overall debt load in the past two years. Julian Sands, an English-born actor who went missing while hiking, has been found dead in the Mount Baldy Wilderness.
A federal watchdog investigating federally funded programs that helped small businesses survive the COVID-19 pandemic estimates that more than $200 billion may have been stolen from two large COVID-19 relief initiatives. The fraud estimate for the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is more than $136 billion, which represents 33 percent of the total money spent on that program, according to the report. The Paycheck Protection fraud estimate is $64 billion, the inspector general said. The Biden administration has put in place stricter rules to stem pandemic fraud, including the use of the "Do Not Pay" database.
A federal watchdog investigating COVID-19 relief initiatives has estimated that over $200 billion may have been stolen from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. The U.S. Small Business Administration inspector general's report indicates that at least 17% of funds disbursed through these programs went to potentially fraudulent actors. The fraud estimate for the COVID-19 EIDL program is over $136 billion, representing 33% of the total money spent, while the PPP fraud estimate is $64 billion. The Biden administration has implemented stricter rules to combat pandemic fraud and proposed a $1.6 billion plan to enhance law enforcement efforts in this regard.
A federal watchdog investigating COVID-19 relief initiatives has estimated that over $200 billion may have been stolen from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. The U.S. Small Business Administration inspector general's report indicates that at least 17% of funds disbursed through these programs went to potentially fraudulent actors. The fraud estimate for the COVID-19 EIDL program is over $136 billion, representing 33% of the total money spent, while the Paycheck Protection fraud estimate is $64 billion. The Biden administration has implemented stricter rules to combat pandemic fraud and proposed a $1.6 billion plan to enhance law enforcement efforts in this regard.
A federal watchdog investigating COVID-19 relief initiatives has estimated that over $200 billion may have been stolen from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. The U.S. Small Business Administration inspector general's report indicates that at least 17% of funds disbursed through these programs went to potentially fraudulent actors. The fraud estimate for the COVID-19 EIDL program is over $136 billion, representing 33% of the total money spent, while the Paycheck Protection fraud estimate is $64 billion. The Biden administration has implemented stricter rules to combat pandemic fraud and proposed a $1.6 billion plan to enhance law enforcement efforts in this regard.
A federal watchdog investigating federally funded programs that helped small businesses survive the COVID-19 pandemic estimates that more than $200 billion may have been stolen from two large relief initiatives. The fraud estimate for the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is more than $136 billion, which represents 33% of the total money spent on that program, according to the report. The Paycheck Protection fraud estimate is $64 billion, the inspector general said. The Biden administration has put in place stricter rules to stem pandemic fraud, including use of the “Do Not Pay” database.
President Biden and House Republicans have reached an agreement in principle to address the debt limit and cap spending. The agreement would suspend the nation’s $31.4 trillion debt limit through January 1, 2025, and cap non-defense spending. The deal would maintain full funding for veterans’ health care and would increase support for the PACT Act’s toxic exposure fund. The agreement calls for temporarily broadening work requirements for certain adults receiving food stamps and would rescind roughly $28 billion in unobligated funds from the Covid-19 relief packages. Borrowers would have to begin paying back their student loans at the end of the summer, and the agreement would maintain Biden’s plan to provide up to $20,000 in debt relief for qualifying borrowers.
The Minnesota Legislature has passed a bill that includes one-time rebates for taxpayers as part of COVID-19 relief efforts. The rebates will range from $150 to $1,000, depending on income and filing status. The bill also includes funding for small businesses, rental assistance, and other measures aimed at addressing the economic impact of the pandemic. The rebates will be funded through the state's budget surplus.
Former Florida state Representative Joseph Harding pleaded guilty to wire fraud, money laundering and making false statements for COVID-19 relief money. Harding faces up to 35 years in prison for seeking COVID relief loans from the Small Business Administration (SBA) in 2020 for fabricated businesses. He applied for $150,000 in loans "he was not entitled" to and made three illegal monetary transactions. Harding's sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 25, 2023, at 11 a.m. at the United States Courthouse in Gainesville, Florida.