Federal prosecutors have charged two Provo, Utah men in an alleged scheme to defraud the IRS and the Small Business Administration out of more than $5.5 million tied to COVID-era relief programs.
According to the SBA Office of Inspector General, David Starling, 61, and Benjamin Young, 39, were charged with conspiring to defraud the United States. Young was also charged with twelve counts of wire fraud. A third defendant, Adam Starling of Oregon, previously pleaded guilty.
The government alleges the defendants owned or controlled eight companies and falsely listed family members — including spouses and children — as employees. Prosecutors say they created false tax documents reporting more than $4 million in wages, then used those documents to obtain COVID-relief benefits.
The alleged proceeds included $3 million in tax credits and $200,000 in Paycheck Protection Program loans, which were later forgiven based on alleged false statements.
The case also includes a separate SBA-backed loan angle. Prosecutors allege Young used fraud proceeds and embezzled funds to buy commercial space in Provo, then relied on fabricated documents to obtain a $2.5 million SBA-secured bank loan.
For Find Corporate Waste, this case is another reminder that COVID-relief enforcement is not just about the original loan. It is about payroll records, forgiveness certifications, tax filings, affiliated entities, and the paper trail behind taxpayer-backed money.
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