SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN — A Southeast Michigan man has pleaded guilty to a federal charge tied to more than $2 million in pandemic relief fraud, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Jabari Long, 45, of Beverly Hills, entered a guilty plea Tuesday to wire fraud affecting a financial institution during a hearing in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. Federal prosecutors said Long now faces up to 30 years in prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 28 by U.S. District Judge Brandy McMillion.
According to authorities, Long submitted fraudulent loan applications through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the related Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program for businesses that did not exist. Congress created the PPP in March 2020 to provide emergency financial assistance to businesses struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prosecutors said Long received $2,187,000 in federal relief funds on behalf of a company called Priceless Preservations Construction. In loan applications, Long allegedly claimed the business employed 50 workers with an average monthly payroll of $875,000.
“In truth, Priceless Preservations Construction had few, if any, employees and little to no payroll expenses,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office stated.
Federal officials said the case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, Detroit Division. Authorities noted that this case is part of a broader effort to prosecute fraud involving pandemic-related relief programs in Michigan and nationwide.
As with all criminal cases, Long is presumed innocent until sentencing and final judgment by the court.
