A couple from West Chester, Ohio, Ajay Chawla, aged 60, and his wife Ruhi Chawla, aged 50, have pleaded guilty to defrauding the federal government out of more than $900,000 in pandemic relief funds. These funds were part of emergency programs designed to help small businesses survive during the COVID-19 crisis. The Chawlas, who were either owners or associates of several transportation businesses, used false information to apply for and receive these funds.
The couple received four loans from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and three loans from the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. These programs were launched to provide financial assistance to businesses struggling due to the pandemic. But Ajay and Ruhi submitted applications with false details about the number of employees and the amount of revenue their businesses were generating.
They claimed to operate companies under the names Prime Transportation and Logistics Inc., ABC Trucking Inc., Apex Truck Lines LLC, and A1 Diesel Truck Repair LLC. In reality, the information they submitted did not match the actual business activity or size.
False Records and Fake Claims Caught by Federal Agencies
As part of their fraud, Ajay Chawla also provided a false statement to federal authorities regarding the ownership of Apex Truck Lines. He submitted this information to the Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. These misstatements helped conceal the fraudulent nature of their loan applications and were intended to mislead investigators and oversight officials.
The couple’s actions caught the attention of several federal agencies, which began a joint investigation. These included the Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. Together, these agencies uncovered the fraudulent schemes and worked with prosecutors to bring charges.
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Kelly Moening, Special Agent-in-Charge at the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, said the case reflects the serious efforts being made to find and prosecute those who steal from the American public. Moening emphasized the teamwork between law enforcement and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in making sure offenders like the Chawlas are held accountable.
Anthony Licari, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General in the Midwestern Region, also commented on the case. He stated that greed has no place in programs created to help during times of national crisis. He noted that the guilty pleas were a result of determined efforts to protect the integrity of federal assistance programs.
Legal Process and Serious Penalties Ahead
Ajay and Ruhi Chawla were charged in March 2025 through a bill of information, a formal document used to bring federal charges. In court, both pleaded guilty to wire fraud, a federal crime involving the use of electronic communication to carry out a scheme to illegally obtain money. This includes using online forms, emails, or digital platforms to submit false or misleading information.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Springer. The court will decide on the couple’s sentence at a future hearing. While wire fraud can carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, the actual sentence will depend on federal sentencing guidelines and the specific details of the case.
This case highlights the serious consequences of abusing government programs. The funds stolen by the Chawlas were meant to help real businesses in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. By providing false information and manipulating the system, they took resources that could have supported struggling workers and families. Their guilty pleas serve as a reminder that fraud, especially during national emergencies, will be investigated and punished.