Georgia Man Sentenced PPP Loan Fraud and Operating Illegal Trucking Businesses
Roderick Bashon Billingslea, Jr., 30, of Dacula, Georgia, has been sentenced to two years and six months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for obtaining a fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan and operating illegal trucking businesses. Billingslea was also ordered to pay $591,668.89 in restitution and $49,770 annually for the cost of his incarceration.
On April 11, 2024, Billingslea was convicted of one count of wire fraud and one count of falsification of records. According to U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan, Billingslea “falsified documents in order to receive PPP funds to operate illegal and unsafe businesses that he was ordered to stop operating. He has now been held accountable for his crimes. But our office’s work continues in collaborating with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute those who defraud the United States Government, including by stealing funds from PPP and other important programs.”
Billingslea’s illegal activities began after the Department of Transportation (DOT) ordered his trucking business, Billingslea’s Inc., to cease operations in January 2020 due to multiple safety violations. He was also prohibited from creating any successor trucking entities. Despite this order, Billingslea continued to operate by filing false registrations with DOT for new trucking entities using fake names and addresses. He used stolen identities of legitimate trucking companies and employed truck drivers who were unaware they were working for illegal operations. These drivers were used until they incurred DOT violations, after which Billingslea would hire new drivers for another illegal entity.
Billingslea applied for and received a $564,363 PPP loan in June 2020, claiming falsely on his application that he was not barred from operating a trucking business and inflating the number of employees and monthly wages. He obtained forgiveness for the loan in April 2022 by submitting false tax documents with the forgiveness application.
Joseph Harris, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General (DOT OIG), Southern Region, stated, “Today’s sentence should send a clear message that, along with our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners, we will tirelessly pursue individuals who compromise trucking safety by intentionally ignoring or circumventing federal orders and regulations. We encourage the public to contact OIG’s Hotline at www.oig.dot.gov/hotline to report suspected PPP loan fraud or other illegal activities that affect the integrity of DOT programs or operations.”
Amaleka McCall-Braithwaite, SBA OIG’s Eastern Region Special Agent in Charge, emphasized, “This case underscores the critical role of oversight in safeguarding taxpayer dollars and ensuring that pandemic relief programs are not exploited by those who seek to commit fraud. Our office will remain steadfast in pursuing those who use such vital resources for personal gain. 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.”
Frederick D. Houston, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service Atlanta Field Office, added, “Billingslea chose to commit fraud and steal limited pandemic relief funds designated to help businesses struggling to survive. This case signifies our commitment to protect citizens and businesses from fraud and identity theft. We will continue to work with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to prosecute those who abuse these programs.”
The case was investigated by the Department of Transportation – Office of the Inspector General, the Small Business Administration – Office of the Inspector General, and the U.S. Secret Service. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane C. Schulman prosecuted the case.
