Winchester Man Charged With Fraudulently Seeking COVID Relief Funds For Business

Federal prosecutors in Massachusetts say a 38-year-old Winchester man filed fraudulent applications seeking more than $13 million in loans backed by the Small Business Administration and tied to the COVID-19 relief package.

Elijah Majak Buoi ultimately received $2 million in paycheck protection program funds, the U.S. Attorney's office says. The government has since seized $1.98 million from his company's business accounts.

Prosecutors say Buoi is the president and CEO of an information technology services company called Sosuda Tech, LLC. It's alleged that in applications for paycheck protection program loans between April and June, Buoi submitted false documentation, misrepresented the number of company employees and payroll expenses, and falsely stated that employees' primary residences were in the U.S.

Buoi is charged with wire fraud. He is scheduled to appear in federal court in Boston this afternoon.

Congress has authorized more than $600 billion in PPP loans for businesses to use on payroll, mortgage, rent and utility costs. Many of the loans can be forgiven.