Miami man indicted for fraud scheme, arrested attempting to leave the country

FLORIDA – A Miami man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for wire fraud, said the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida (USAO).

According to the indictment, Emmanuel Bully, Jr., 44, of Miami-Dade County, fraudulently obtained more than $500,000 in forgivable Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) loans. The Small Business Administration guarantees these loans under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Per the indictment, between April 29, 2020, and approximately September 27, 2021, Bully submitted six PPP and EIDL loan applications on behalf of himself—as a sole proprietor—and each of his purported four companies: MB Tax Consultants LLC, MB Tax Services LLC, MB Tax Services Consultants, and Emmanuel B.

In each PPP and EIDL loan application, Bully allegedly falsely stated the corporation’s average monthly payroll or gross revenues. The alleged false and fraudulent applications ultimately led to Bully receiving over $500,000 in PPP and EIDL loan funds, said the USAO.

According to the USAO, contrary to the purported purpose for the loans, Bully spent the EIDL and PPP loan proceeds for his personal use and benefit, not for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, or utilities.

During Bully’s initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge William Matthewman, the prosecutor alleged Bully was interviewed earlier this month by FBI special agents regarding the alleged fraud. The FBI said it arrested Bully at an airport as he attempted to leave for London on an international flight on August 16, 2023.

According to court records, he was ordered detained on August 23 because the Court considers him to be a serious flight risk.

U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI, Miami Field Office, made the announcement.

FBI, West Palm Beach Field Office, investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shannon Shaw is prosecuting it.

An indictment contains mere allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 23-CR-80141.