LANSING – Yesterday, Yulonda Eckel, 56, of Ann Arbor, pled guilty to fraudulently obtaining two Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans from the federal government, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Eckel pled to two counts of False Pretenses $1,000-$20,000 and one count of Taxes – Making/Permitting a False Return. As part of the plea agreement, Eckel agreed to a restitution order of $47,660 and paid $25,827 in advance of entering the plea. 

Eckel applied for and received two PPP loans by claiming she was a sole proprietor with $104,900 in gross income from her business in 2020. However, the Department’s investigation revealed that Eckel did not operate a sole proprietorship. The Attorney General's enforcement operation was conducted in close collaboration with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General.     

“Funds from government programs designed to support small businesses should not be siphoned away by individuals for their own personal gain,” Nessel said. “I am thankful for the investigative efforts of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General that were instrumental in securing this plea. My department remains committed to protecting taxpayer dollars and government aid.” 

Eckel will be sentenced on January 16, 2025, in the 22nd Circuit Court in Washtenaw County by Judge Arianne Slay.

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