(WNY News Now) – ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A Rochester business owner has admitted to defrauding the federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) out of $1.5 million.
Timothy A. Taylor, 39, of Rochester, pleaded guilty to wire fraud before Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford, according to U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Prosecutors stated that between July 2020 and August 2021, Taylor, the owner of Data Brilliance Software LLC in Greece, NY, submitted fraudulent PPP loan applications. He falsely claimed that his business had 87 employees and a monthly payroll of $607,000, when in reality, the company had only one employee who earned a total of $10,000 for the entire year.
Taylor received $1.5 million in COVID-19 relief funds, which he used for personal expenses instead of supporting business operations.
The case was investigated by the FBI, led by Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, and the IRS Criminal Investigations Division, under Special Agent-in-Charge Harry Chavis.
Taylor is scheduled for sentencing on June 11, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. before Chief Judge Wolford.
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