Feds cite role of HPD in the investigation
The Hull Police Department is being credited by federal law enforcement authorities for assisting in the investigation of a Hull man who entered a guilty plea last week on a charge of wire fraud.
Hull resident Shane Spierdowis, 31, pleaded guilty on Oct. 21 in federal court in Boston in connection with submitting fraudulent documentation in order to receive nearly $200,000 in CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act small- business loans.
U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns scheduled Spierdowis’ sentencing for Feb. 24, 2022. He was indicted on one count of wire fraud on March 30, 2021, and could face a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.
“The Hull Police Department provided valuable assistance with the investigation,” according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts.
Hull Police Chief John Dunn said in response to an email inquiry from The Hull Times that because this is a federal case with federal charges his department is not able to provide a press release (or further information) “on any investigations or arrests that are not ours.”
The U.S. Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force last May to marshal the resources of the U.S. Department of Justice, in partnership with agencies across government, to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Massachusetts, Spierdowis used false Social Security numbers and fraudulent documentation to apply for federally funded Small Business Administration loans issued in connection with the CARES Act.
Spierdowis obtained an SBA Paycheck Protection Program loan of $101,517 in the name of a limited liability company (LLC), the funds for which were wired to a bank in Massachusetts.
He provided a fraudulent corporate bank statement reflecting a balance exceeding $220,000, but it was dated before the pertinent bank account was ever opened.
He also obtained a Small Business Administration Economic Injury Disaster Loan in the amount of $89,900 using a separate LLC.
With respect to both loans, Spierdowis used Social Security numbers different from his own.
“He also submitted fraudulent federal tax forms for both LLCs that included his signature, as president of each LLC, and the purported payment of hundreds of thousands of dollars in wages to LLC employees during each quarter in 2019,” according to the press release. “In reality, however, for part of Q1 2019 and all of Q2 – Q4 2019, Spierdowis was in federal custody after violating his probation arising from a conviction for conspiracy to commit securities fraud. Spierdowis informed the court of his efforts to obtain work in early 2019 without mentioning anything about his supposed presidency of either LLC.”
