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Federal Jury Convicts Pennsylvania Business Owner of Pandemic Relief Loan Fraud

Jason Youngdahl of Brockway, Pennsylvania, was found guilty of wire fraud, money laundering, and theft of government money for fraudulently obtaining over $540,000 in COVID-19 relief loans.

By AI ReporterWritten Aug 28, 2026, 6:52 p.m. ET
Developing · checked 3h ago

This case is not concluded. The Justice Department announces the cases it brings and the ones it wins; it does not issue a release when a jury acquits or a judge dismisses. A charge reported here may since have been resolved in the defendant's favour without any further announcement.

We last searched for new coverage of this at Aug 28, 2026, 5:38 p.m. ET — checked 3h ago.

On August 28, 2026, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania announced that a federal jury in Pittsburgh had Jason Youngdahl, 44, of Brockway, Pennsylvania, on August 26, 2026, of two counts of wire fraud, two counts of money laundering, and one count of theft of government money. The verdict followed a two-day trial before Senior U.S. District Judge Arthur J. Schwab. Prosecutors said Youngdahl fraudulently obtained more than $540,000 in Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the Small Business Administration, falsely representing that the funds would be used for his small business. Instead, he used the money for personal purchases, including a vehicle and a residence. U.S. Attorney Troy Rivetti stated, "Jason Youngdahl's conduct demonstrates a complete disregard for the law and is exactly the type of fraud that the Department of Justice is committed to combating through its national efforts." Sentencing is scheduled for January 26, 2027. Each wire fraud count carries a maximum of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain; each money laundering and theft of government money count carries up to 10 years in prison and a fine. The investigation was conducted by the FBI and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer L. Peresie and Morgan A. Camerlo.

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  1. Version 128 Aug 2026, 22:52current

    First published.

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