Former NFL Player Sentenced to 1 Year and 4 Months for $968,000 PPP Loan Fraud
Travis Lee Harris has been sentenced to federal prison for wire fraud involving the fraudulent acquisition of nearly $1,000,000 in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan, “Harris falsified a loan application to obtain PPP funds for his business that he then blatantly used to fund a lavish lifestyle. 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.”
Amaleka McCall-Brathwaite, Special Agent in Charge of the SBA OIG’s Eastern Region, stated, “Fraudulent exploitation of SBA’s pandemic relief programs diverts critical resources from the small businesses that truly need them. Our office is committed to protecting taxpayer funds and ensuring that individuals who attempt to defraud SBA programs are brought to justice. I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s office and our law enforcement partners for their collaboration and dedication to justice in this case.”
In June 2020, Travis Harris, a former NFL player for the Tennessee Titans and Miami Dolphins, submitted a PPP loan application for his business, Atlanta Luxury Cars & Trucks LLC, requesting $968,405. He provided false information about the number of employees, payroll, and revenue for the business. The lender approved the loan, and Harris received the funds in the Atlanta Luxury Cars & Trucks LLC account. Harris then transferred the funds to his personal accounts and used them to post pictures on social media, purchase a Rolex watch and other jewelry, and rent a luxury hotel room. Additionally, he financed other start-up businesses with the loan money.
Travis Lee Harris, 43, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Victoria M. Calvert to one year and four months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay restitution of $997,457.15. Harris was convicted on February 14, 2024, after pleading guilty to the charges.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General.
