Houston man pleads guilty to federal charges for fraudulently getting $1.6M in PPP loans
A Houston man has pleaded guilty Monday to federal charges for getting more than $1.6 million in Paycheck Protection Program loans, designed to help struggling small businesses pay their employees and stay afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Texas mayoral races, Austin homeless measure among key issues on Saturday ballots. Hereโs what you need to know.
Local elections are happening across Texas on Saturday, some of which have drawn statewide โ and even national โ attention. Here are the four that we are watching most closely, plus a few other contests to keep in mind.
Join The Texas Tribune for an interview with outgoing Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price
A Conversation with Betsy Price, Mayor of Fort WorthIn January, Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price announced that she will not seek reelection at the end of her term. Join The Texas Tribune at noon Central on April 22 for a live interview with Price, moderated by Texas Tribune CEO Evan Smith. AdRegister for the conversation herePrice was first elected to lead the city of Fort Worth in 2011. Before being elected mayor, Price served as Tarrant Countyโs tax assessor for more than a decade and was a business owner. Though donors and corporate sponsors underwrite Texas Tribune events, they play no role in determining the content, panelists or line of questioning.
Texas' local officials blast Gov. Greg Abbott for "irresponsible action" of lifting coronavirus restrictions
Greg Abbott drew ire Tuesday after announcing that he would lift a statewide mask mandate while coronavirus infections continue. AdIn addition to lifting the mask mandate next week, Abbott will allow businesses to operate at full capacity. Greg Abbott's full order lifting Texas' mask mandate and business capacity limitations. We still have 464 people in the hospital and 199 in ICU as of yesterday,โ said Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff. โ County Judge Ricardo Samaniego (@EPCountyJudge) March 2, 2021In a statement, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo questioned the moment for this announcement.
Turkey Leg Hut delivers 1,000 turkey legs, supplies to help hurricane victims in Lake Charles
HOUSTON โ The owner of Turkey Leg Hut, Lyndell Price, said he saw the devastation in Louisiana that was caused by Hurricane Laura and he couldnโt ignore it. โWhen people need help, you just jump into action,โ said Price. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee commended Priceโs efforts and said that the assistance is desperately needed in the area. โAs I saw it, it will be a long road to recovery and Houston and Houstonians will be a part of the recovery,โ said Lee. Price said that he plans to return to Louisiana next week with more food and supplies.
Houston man accused of fraudulently getting $1.6M from a COVID-19 relief program was one of many, records show
The money was part of the emergency COVID-19 relief program through the Small Business Administration, a program designed to help struggling small businesses pay their employees and stay afloat during the pandemic. Jerry Tarnopol, an SBA Loan Specialist at Community Bank, said with a program this big, fraud was a possible likelihood. โIt saddens me that it happened, but youโve got to expect itโs going to happen with such a big program. Price now faces federal charges of making false statements to a financial institution, wire fraud, bank fraud, and engaging in prohibited monetary transactions. Heโs not the only one Federal Prosecutors have charged with crimes related to the SBAโs PPP program.
Closer look into decades long criminal history of Houston man accused of $1.6 million fraud meant for COVID-19 relief
HOUSTON A Houston man is accused of bilking the federal government of $1.6 million allocated for coronavirus relief. A peek into his rap sheet uncovered more than a decades long criminal history. In 2009, he spent 20 days in a Harris County jail for failing to stop and give information to an official. Investigators said he created fake businesses and lied on federal loans to receive more than $1 million in COVID-19 relief money. Like I said, (he) was just more of a normal neighbor, I would say, said Lindo.
Houston entrepreneur spent $1.6M in COVID-19 relief funds on Lamborghini, strip clubs: prosecutors
HOUSTON โ A 29-year-old Houston man is accused of making fraudulent applications for coronavirus relief aid and then spending the money on luxury items, according to a release from the U.S. Attorneyโs Office. Lee Price III was arrested and is charged with making false statements to a financial institution, wire fraud, bank fraud and engaging in unlawful monetary transactions. Prosecutors said Price was involved in a scheme to submit fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan applications to federally insured banks and other lenders. โHe also allegedly spent thousands at strip clubs and other Houston night clubs,โ officials wrote. The PPP allocated $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses.
New lawsuit provides an inside look at the financial decisions at Houstons in-demand brand Turkey Leg Hut
HOUSTON A legal battle is stirring between owners of the Turkey Leg Hut & Company, the parent company of Houstons popular eatery on Almeda Road in Houston. Rogers claimIn August 2017, Rogers and Price decided to open a new location for Turkey Leg Hut on Almeda Road, according to legal documents. The food trucks are covered in Turkey Leg Hut advertisements and are easily confused as being associated with Turkey Leg Hut & Company, the lawsuit read. In December 2019, Price created TLH Concessions to operate the TLH food trucks and catering business, per the lawsuit. There are several TLH food trucks across Houston, including a truck near the flagship location.
89-year-old grandmother triumphs over COVID-19 while battling cancer
HOUSTON โ Ida Price is a survivor. The 89-year-old beat the odds by fighting off COVID-19, while at the same time battling cancer. She learned she had the coronavirus in late March after a relative tested positive. A short time later, Price was tested and diagnosed with COVID-19, though she showed no symptoms. Because she was already battling colon cancer, her children moved quickly to bring her to Houston from her home in Louisana and checked her into United Memorial Medical Hospital.
Teens accused of dealing drugs to students
HOUSTON โ Police have arrested two teens accused of dealing drugs to Friendswood and Pearland High School students. On Tuesday, police carried out a search warrant at a home just across the Friendswood city limits in Brazoria County. Friendswood police, along with Brazoria County sheriff's deputies, stopped the two men as they left the home. Investigators said the house is only a couple of miles away from Friendswood High school. "I know the high school is close by, it happened right under your nose and you don't even know it," Price said.