Roy Lee Holt, a 58-year-old resident of Harper Woods, was convicted by a Wayne County jury on April 22 of multiple felonies related to the fraudulent acquisition of more than $60,000 in COVID-19 relief funds and Paycheck Protection Program loans, according to an April 24 announcement from Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.
Holt’s conviction underscores ongoing efforts by state and federal authorities to address fraud involving pandemic assistance programs. Such actions are intended to protect taxpayer money and ensure that aid reaches those who genuinely need it.
The jury found Holt guilty of two counts of False Pretenses $20,000-$50,000 (each carrying up to 15 years in prison), one count of False Pretense $1,000-$20,000 (a five-year felony), two counts of Using a Computer to Commit a Crime (each with a ten-year maximum sentence), and one count of Making or Permitting a False Tax Return (a five-year felony). Authorities said Holt submitted fraudulent bank statements and other false information in order to secure two PPP loans totaling over $41,000 in 2021. He also made additional misrepresentations seeking forgiveness for those loans. In addition, he received nearly $20,000 through the COVID Emergency Rental Assistance program after submitting falsified documents to the Michigan State Housing Development Authority.
At the time these offenses occurred, Holt was employed by Veterans Affairs. The investigation involved collaboration between the Michigan Attorney General’s office, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General (VA OIG), and MSHDA.
“Those who defraud these programs cheat taxpayers out of their hard-earned money and strip resources away from those truly in need,” said Attorney General Nessel. “I am grateful to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, MSHDA, and the prosecutors in my office who secured this conviction. We will continue to prosecute those who exploit government aid programs.”
Amy Hovey, CEO and Executive Director at MSHDA said: “Cases like this are rare but we take them seriously and pursue them fully. This conviction reflects strong coordination with our state and federal partners to hold bad actors accountable.”
Special Agent in Charge Gregory Billingsley from VA OIG added: “The VA OIG is dedicated to protecting taxpayer dollars and ensuring the integrity of government assistance programs. We will vigorously investigate any VA employee who attempts to obtain government funds through fraudulent actions. The VA OIG is grateful to the Michigan Attorney General for their efforts in this joint investigation.”
This case was investigated under a Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Attorney General and MSHDA aimed at investigating fraud involving housing funds; this agreement is set to expire December 31 unless renewed by MSHDA.
Holt is scheduled for sentencing before Judge Kiefer Cox at Wayne County’s Third Circuit Court on May 20.