United States of America v. Peter Valente

Detroit, Michigan, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with fraud.

Peter Valente and Angela Toma collaborated to fraudulently obtain $2,609,210 from the Paycheck Protection Program. Valente and Toma are alleged to have submitted false loan applications to Paycheck Protection Program lenders using inactive businesses and falsified bank records. When federal agents began investigating the loan fraud, Valente approached them and repeatedly claimed that Toma was solely responsible, and he was unaware of the crime until it had concluded. Further investigation revealed that Valente was in fact an active collaborator in the scheme, going so far as to celebrate with Toma when a fraudulent loan was approved.

A complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Trial cannot be held on felony charges in a complaint. When the investigation is complete, determinations will be made whether to seek felony indictments.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney K. Craig Welkener and investigated by Homeland Security Investigations.

A complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Trial cannot be held on felony charges in a complaint. When the investigation is complete, determinations will be made whether to seek felony indictments.