Roy Lee Holt, a 57-year-old Harper Woods resident, is facing multiple charges for allegedly fraudulently obtaining over $60,000 in COVID-19 relief funds. He is accused of submitting false documents, including fabricated bank statements and business expenses, to secure two Paycheck Protection Program loans in 2021, as well as using deceptive methods to have them forgiven, according to the Department of Attorney General.
Holt is charged with multiple felonies, including two counts of False Pretenses, each carrying up to 15 years in prison, and two counts of Using a Computer to Commit a Crime, which could result in an additional 20 years. Additionally, he fraudulently obtained nearly $20,000 in COVID Emergency Rental Assistance funds from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority using misleading documents, further adding to the charges, as reported by the Department of Attorney General.
The investigation into Holt revealed his position at the U.S. Veterans Affairs, leading to a joint effort with the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, and MSHDA. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel thanked these agencies for their support, stating, "I would like to thank the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General and MSHDA for their assistance in this investigation," and emphasized her office's commitment to pursuing the case in court to hold those accountable for defrauding loan programs: "My office looks forward to continuing to pursue this matter in court to ensure those who defraud loan programs intended to help those in need are held accountable." MSHDA CEO Amy Hovey noted that while such cases are rare, the agency will continue to challenge them: "Cases like this are rare, but we will never let them go unchallenged." Holt’s Circuit Court Arraignment is scheduled for November 26, as mentioned by the Department of Attorney General.
