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. The suspect, Randon “Romero” Williams, 40, faces charges of wire fraud and money laundering. He allegedly sent six false requests to the Paycheck Protection Program between April 2020 and March 2021, during the peak of COVID‑19. Williams used several business names—such as “The Romero Group” and “Step Ladder Construction”—to mask his scheme. Some of these companies may have existed only on paper, while others reported exaggerated payroll figures to qualify for larger loans.He claimed to have 21‑75 employees and monthly wages over half a million dollars, supported by fabricated tax documents. The U. S. Attorney’s Office said they will pursue the case aggressively, describing it as a theft from hardworking taxpayers. This arrest is part of a new National Fraud Enforcement Division that works under the President’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud. The IRS Criminal Investigation team led by Agent Karen Wingerd helped uncover the fraud, noting that the program was intended to help real businesses survive the pandemic. Assistant U. S. Attorney Kelly Fasbinder will decide whether to file felony charges once the investigation finishes. The case highlights how quickly fraud can undermine public aid programs and the importance of vigilant enforcement.