Federal and state officials gather in Kansas City for loan fraud enforcement announcement

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

KANSAS CITY, Mo., (KBSI) — Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe welcomed Vice President JD Vance and other federal and state officials to Kansas City for an announcement about efforts to combat fraud involving pandemic-era small-business loan programs.

Those attending included Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, Small Business Administration Administrator Kelly Loeffler and FBI Director Kash Patel.

Federal officials announced enforcement actions involving more than 160 defendants accused of causing approximately $245 million in intended losses through COVID-19 relief programs. The cases involve alleged fraud connected to the Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loan program.

Kehoe said Missouri is working with federal agencies to protect taxpayer money and hold those responsible for fraud accountable.

Additional details are available from the U.S. Department of Justice.