Kansas Couple Sentenced For Fraud on SBA Loans

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Kansas couple was sentenced Monday for fraudulently obtaining loans from the Small Business Administration, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said.

Justin Johnson, 40, Wellsville, Kan., was sentenced to six months house arrest, followed by three years supervised release, and restitution of $53,000. His wife, Penny Johnson, 39, Wellsville, Kan., was sentenced to three years on probation and $53,000 restitution.

The defendants pleaded guilty to one count each of making false statements to the Small Business Administration and one count each of money laundering. Justin Johnson owned and operated several construction–related businesses including J-Right, Midland Concrete, A-Vision Landscape, Stucco Masters, Kingdom Homes and Timberview Construction. Penny Johnson was the bookkeeper for her husband’s businesses.

In their pleas, the Johnsons admitted they received a loan through the SBA Express loan program they claimed was for the purchase of equipment. In fact, the loan funds were used to pay off equipment loans and to make payments on construction loans held by Johnson’s various businesses. Loan funds also were used by the Johnsons for their personal use.

Grissom commended the Small Business Administration, the FBI, the Internal Revenue Service and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jabari Wamble for their work on the case.