Officials: area couple created fake PPP loan accounts in $6M scam

A Polk County couple has been charged in an alleged PPP loan scheme where authorities say they created at least 70 false loan applications seeking nearly $6 million. They then allegedly used some of the funds to pay off a luxury car, gamble at least $62,000 at a casino and take a Facebook video in a hotel room “littered” with $100 bills.  

Julio Lugo, 44, and Rosenide Venant, 37, both of Davenport, have been charged with conspiracy and making false statements to a financial institution, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s office. Lugo has also been charged with an illegal monetary transaction relating to the illegal use of coronavirus relief funds to pay off a note on a luxury car purchased during the conspiracy.