Bean Town Times

An Easton man was charged yesterday in a superseding indictment for allegedly using Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds to secretly purchase a home in the name of a close relative.

Bill Dessaps, 47, was charged with a second count of wire fraud conspiracy. Dessaps was previously indicted in January 2024 on one count each of wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering, and bank fraud. In January 2024, five other individuals were charged for their alleged involvement in the PPP fraud scheme.

According to the charging document, Dessaps—operator of an Abington-based used car dealership—allegedly conspired with individuals in Massachusetts and Florida to submit a fraudulent PPP application on behalf of his dealership. The application allegedly falsely stated that the dealership had 40 employees and average monthly payroll expenses of $334,720. As a result, it is alleged that the lender disbursed a PPP loan of $836,800 to Dessaps. After receiving these funds, Dessaps allegedly made kickback payments to one or more individuals who assisted with the application.

The superseding indictment further alleges that after receiving the PPP loan, Dessaps purchased a $750,000 home in the name of a straw buyer—his close relative—because his credit score would have prevented him from obtaining favorable mortgage terms and because purchasing a home using PPP funds is prohibited. It is alleged that Dessaps, his close relative, and a real estate agent submitted false mortgage application documents to a lender. These included forms and forged records inflating the relative’s income and assets. For part of the home costs, Dessaps allegedly transferred PPP proceeds into a joint bank account he controlled with his relative. After being denied for a secondary loan for remaining funds by another lender, Dessaps and his real estate agent allegedly arranged a sham gift of $127,500 from the real estate agent’s girlfriend to the close relative—a sum which Dessaps wired to her. Through these misrepresentations, Dessaps obtained a $510,000 mortgage on the home where he resided.

The original indictment also charged Dessaps with attempting to obtain a “Second Draw” PPP loan through another fraudulent application in March 2021.

The charges provide for significant penalties: up to 20 years in prison for wire fraud and wire fraud conspiracy; up to 20 years for money laundering; and up to 30 years for bank fraud—with additional fines and supervised release terms applicable based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Harry Chavis Jr., Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in Boston made this announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David M. Holcomb and Alexandra W. Amrhein are prosecuting the case.

On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force aimed at combating pandemic-related fraud through collaboration across government agencies.

Anyone with information about attempted COVID-19-related fraud can report it via hotline or web complaint form provided by DOJ's National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF).

The details contained in charging documents are allegations; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court.

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