San Diego Restaurateur Leronce Suel Sentenced for $1.7M COVID Fraud

Leronce Suel, a San Diego restaurateur and majority owner of several eateries, has been sentenced to 42 months in federal prison for stealing over $1.7 million in COVID-19 relief funds. A jury convicted him on charges of wire fraud, conspiracy, and tax evasion after finding that he submitted fraudulent applications for federal assistance programs, including the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF). Instead of using the funds for their intended purposes, Suel misappropriated them for personal gain, including purchasing a home in Arkansas. Federal agents discovered more than $2.4 million in cash hidden in his residence during an investigation. In addition to his prison sentence, Suel has been ordered to pay restitution of $1,773,245 to the U.S. Small Business Administration and forfeit nearly $1.5 million in seized cash. His case highlights a broader issue of fraud during the pandemic, as resources intended for struggling businesses were exploited.