Atlanta Promoter and Ex-NFL Player Sent To Federal Prison for PPP Loan Fraud
Atlanta – Travis Lee Harris, a former NFL player turned promoter, has been sentenced to federal prison for committing wire fraud by falsely applying for a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Harris, who is 43 years old, received a sentence of one year and four months behind bars.
Authorities revealed that Harris, who owns Atlanta Luxury Cars & Trucks LLC, applied for a PPP loan worth $968,405 in June 2020. However, he falsified critical details on his loan application, including the number of employees, payroll amounts, and the overall revenue generated by the company. This deception enabled him to secure a hefty sum intended to help struggling businesses during tough times.
Official reports indicate that instead of utilizing the funds to support his business, Harris transferred the money into his personal bank account. Not only did he misuse the funds, but he also flaunted his ill-gotten gains by posting pictures of himself with stacks of cash. Harris spent the money on luxury items such as a Rolex watch and various pieces of jewelry, and enjoyed stays at a high-end hotel. What’s more, he even used some of the money to finance several start-up ventures, further misappropriating the pandemic relief funds.
“Harris falsified a loan application to obtain PPP funds for his business that he then blatantly used to fund a lavish lifestyle,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “Harris has now been held accountable for his crime. Our office will continue working with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute anyone who defrauds taxpayers out of COVID-19 pandemic relief funds.”
In addition to serving his time in prison, Harris will be subjected to three years of supervised release once he completes his sentence. Furthermore, he is required to pay back over $337,000 in restitution as part of his penalty for the fraudulent act.
Details of this case were provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia, which underscores the commitment of authorities to crack down on fraudulent activities related to pandemic relief funds.
This serves as a reminder of the importance of honest and lawful behavior, particularly during times of crisis when relief efforts are meant to help the most vulnerable. It also demonstrates that authorities are vigilant and will take strict actions against those who try to exploit public resources for personal gain.
