A Los Angeles resident, formerly from Randolph, Massachusetts, has admitted guilt in a case involving fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan applications. Rindal Pierre-Canel, aged 30, entered a guilty plea on June 24, 2025, to three counts of wire fraud. The sentencing is scheduled for October 1, 2025, by U.S. District Judge Myong J. Joun. Pierre-Canel was initially arrested and charged in January 2025.
Between March and May of 2021, Pierre-Canel submitted three false PPP loan applications and received over $50,000. Two applications were under his name while the third used stolen personal information from an unidentified victim. The applications contained fabricated details about business existence and income supported by fake tax documents. The funds acquired were reportedly spent on personal luxuries such as flights to California and designer clothing.
Each charge of wire fraud could result in up to 20 years in prison, along with three years of supervised release and a fine up to $250,000. Sentencing will be determined based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and applicable statutes.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England. Assistance came from the U.S. Department of Labor and police departments in Cambridge and Hermosa Beach, California. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Sullivan is handling the prosecution.
The Fraud Section oversees prosecutions related to schemes exploiting the PPP since the CARES Act’s introduction. To date, it has prosecuted over 150 individuals across more than 95 cases and seized over $75 million in cash from fraudulent PPP activities alongside real estate properties and luxury items bought with illicit proceeds.
Further details are available at: Justice.gov/OPA/pr/justice-department-takes-action-against-covid-19-fraud.
