PPP is another common acronym in the criminal law field, just born in the year 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic infected our country and the globe furiously, and with little warning, to most of us. The primary concern for all decent human beings is the health-safety aspect of the pandemic. Most scientists and world health experts tell us help is on the way as a vaccine will soon be available with its efficacy and safety tried, tested and proven.

The simultaneous “infection” of our economy is already upon us, according to the federal government. Much like the mortgage fraud “crisis” which began in 2004, during which time the government prosecuted thousands of cases across the country, what is now commonly referred to as PPP, short for the Paycheck Protection Program, fraud has begun almost a decade and a half later, and is expected to last for quite some time. Why? The answer is in the numbers. Since April, over five million companies received in excess of $525 billion in loans. How did it happen? Much like the mortgage fraud epidemic that triggered the economic recession in 2008, the government helped create this novel crisis. Unlike the conspiracy theorists who believe COVID-19 was intentionally manufactured to change the political party in the White House or for some other nefarious purpose, our government developed a well-intentioned federally funded relief program to quickly help millions of Americans fill the void of their sudden income loss. Plain and simple—a lifeline.