Man Arrested After $5 Million Pandemic Loan Scam

A man from West Bloomfield, Michigan was taken into custody on Friday after authorities say he stole more than five million dollars from the government by filing fake applications for pandemic aid.

Suspect Profile

• Name: Randon “Romero” Williams
• Age: 40
• Charges: Wire fraud and money laundering

Williams allegedly sent six false requests to the Paycheck Protection Program between April 2020 and March 2021, during the peak of COVID‑19.

Tactics Used

Williams used several business names—such as “The Romero Group” and “Step Ladder Construction.”

• Some companies may have existed only on paper.
• Others reported exaggerated payroll figures to qualify for larger loans.

He claimed:

• 21‑75 employees
• Monthly wages over half a million dollars

These figures were supported by fabricated tax documents.

Investigation & Enforcement

• The U.S. Attorney’s Office will pursue the case aggressively, describing it as a theft from hardworking taxpayers.
• This arrest is part of a new National Fraud Enforcement Division under the President’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud.
• The IRS Criminal Investigation team, led by Agent Karen Wingerd, helped uncover the fraud.
• Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly Fasbinder will decide whether to file felony charges once the investigation finishes.

Takeaway

The case highlights how quickly fraud can undermine public aid programs and underscores the importance of vigilant enforcement.