Federal law enforcement charged and arrested Randon “Romero” Williams of West Bloomfield on April 10 for allegedly defrauding financial institutions and the U.S. Small Business Administration in a scheme involving more than $5 million in Paycheck Protection Program loans.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by federal authorities to address fraud targeting pandemic relief programs, which were intended to help businesses during the COVID-19 crisis.
According to the complaint, Williams, 40, submitted six loan applications between April 2020 and March 2021 under various business names. Investigators allege that these businesses either existed only on paper or had inflated employee numbers, payroll expenses, and gross receipts—factors used to determine eligibility for PPP loans. The complaint states that Williams claimed companies such as “The Romero Group” and “Step Ladder Construction” employed between 21 and 75 people with monthly payrolls exceeding half a million dollars. Authorities allege he supported these claims with falsified tax documents.
“These efforts are the first fruits of President Donald J. Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud and come on the heels of the establishment of the new National Fraud Enforcement Division working under Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche,” said U.S. Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr., who also stated: “We will zealously prosecute any thief who steals from the hardworking American taxpayer.”
Special Agent in Charge Karen Wingerd of IRS Criminal Investigation Detroit Field Office said: “The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) was designed to be a lifeline for struggling businesses during a global disaster event, not a free-for-all for any unscrupulous fraudster looking for easy money. If you think that’s the case, you are dead wrong, and you will be held accountable for stealing from every hard-working tax-payer that pays their fair share. Our expertise is following the money, and we will find you.”
Officials clarified that a complaint is only a charge; it is not evidence of guilt. Trial cannot be held on felony charges based solely on a complaint; further investigation may lead prosecutors to seek indictments.
Assistant United States Attorney Kelly Fasbinder is prosecuting this case with IRS Criminal Investigations leading inquiries.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced its new National Fraud Enforcement Division aimed at investigating and prosecuting those misusing taxpayer funds as part of President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud—a government-wide initiative chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance.
