Great Lakes Wire

LANSING – Yesterday, Yulonda Eckel, 56, of Ann Arbor, was arraigned in the 15th District Court in Washtenaw County for fraudulently obtaining two Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans from the federal government totaling over $41,000, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Eckel is charged with two counts of False Pretenses $20,000-$50,000, two counts of Using a Computer to Commit a Crime, and one count of Taxes – Making/Permitting a False Return.

Eckel, who works at the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, allegedly applied for and received two PPP loans by claiming she was a sole proprietor with $104,900 in gross income from her business in 2020. However, the Department’s investigation revealed that Eckel did not operate a sole proprietorship.

The Attorney General's enforcement operation was conducted in close collaboration with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General.

“During the pandemic, Michigan saw millions of dollars fraudulently taken from programs aimed at keeping business afloat in our communities,” Nessel said. “I am thankful for the investigative efforts of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General. My department will continue to protect taxpayer dollars by investigating and prosecuting those who take advantage of government aid.”

Eckel will next appear for a Probable Cause Conference before Judge Karen Quinlan Valvo in the 15th District Court on June 20th.

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Please note: For all criminal proceedings, a criminal charge is merely an allegation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The Department does not provide booking photos.