PEORIA, Ill. – A rural Knox County resident who once owned a restaurant in Fulton County is facing federal charges for allegedly trying to get more COVID-19 relief money than he should have.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Peoria says an indictment was unsealed Friday charging Michael Patch, 64 of Saint Augustine, with one count of Bank Fraud, and two counts of Wire Fraud.
The indictment alleges Patch — who once owned the now-former Vernon Street Grill in Farmington — applied for Payroll Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster loans using phony and inflated receipts and payroll information, along with a bank loan.
“The indictment further alleges that Patch knowingly provided loan documents to the Bank of Farmington containing materially false information for the purpose of receiving a loan through the PPP program, along with submitting a fraudulent loan application to the Small Business Administration for the purpose of obtaining funds from the EIDL program,” according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney.
Patch was released from custody after posting bond. He’s scheduled to return to court December 8.
Patch could face 30 years in prison for the Bank Fraud count if convicted, and 20 years on each Wire Fraud count.
