The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York announced that Durst Image Technology US LLC will pay $1.8 million to settle allegations it violated the False Claims Act by improperly obtaining Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. The company, a Rochester-based subsidiary of Italy’s Durst Group AG, allegedly exceeded the PPP size requirements when it received a second draw loan in 2021. At the time, Durst and its global affiliates collectively employed more than 300 workers, making the company ineligible for the funding.
“PPP was designed to support small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo. “When companies fail to comply with eligibility rules, our office is committed to recovering taxpayer dollars that were improperly obtained and spent.” The civil settlement resolves claims under the False Claims Act, including those brought through the statute’s whistleblower provisions.
The investigation was led by Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Coriell and USAO Investigator Margaret McFarland, with support from the Small Business Administration’s Office of General Counsel. Authorities stressed that the allegations resolved by the settlement are not an admission of liability.
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