LANSING ? Yesterday, Anthony Golden, 67, of Frankenmuth, was bound over by Judge M. Randall Jurrens to the 10th Judicial Circuit Court for trial on five felony charges for allegedly obtaining two Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans from the federal government totaling nearly $41,000 by fraudulent means, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Golden is charged with two counts of false pretenses in excess of $20,000, two counts of filing false tax returns, and one count of use of a computer to commit a crime. ?

The state alleges Golden applied for and received two PPP loans by claiming to have payroll income that was impacted by the pandemic even though he did not. Golden is alleged to have subsequently sought and received forgiveness of both loans, representing the funds were used in compliance with the PPP rules and certifying that the funds were used primarily for payroll. Golden failed to report the improperly forgiven loans as income on his Michigan tax returns. ???

The?Homeland Security Investigations Detroit field office?assisted with the investigation into Golden?s loans.?

?PPP loans from the federal government were meant as a lifeline to keep the businesses we depend on afloat during the tumultuous times of the pandemic,? said Nessel. ?Those who defrauded that program not only cheated their fellow Americans out of their hard-earned money in a difficult time, but denied other deserving businesses who couldn?t get those resources. The State of Michigan saw millions of dollars fraudulently obtained from this program, and I?m grateful for our partners at the Homeland Security Investigations Detroit field office for their assistance with this investigation.??

Golden will next appear in the 10th Circuit Court on a date to be determined by the Court. ?

Please note: A criminal charge is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The Department does not provide booking photos.

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