Overview
- John Bolden was sentenced Wednesday to up to 48 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $303,138 in restitution and forfeit $112,002 after pleading guilty in February to wire fraud conspiracy.
- Prosecutors say Bolden used a partnership stake in a tax-preparation franchise to prepare and submit false Schedule C forms and payroll figures that supported fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program loan applications.
- Court filings describe a formulaic method for calculating PPP loan amounts, payment of referral kickbacks to middlemen, and recorded guidance to keep loans below $20,000 to increase chances of forgiveness.
- Co-defendants include former NYPD detective Anthony Carreira, who was sentenced to time served on March 6 after a guilty plea, and Christian McKenzie, who is scheduled for sentencing on July 14, 2026.
- The case, prosecuted in the Eastern District of New York, highlights how tax-prep businesses and franchise networks were used in wider PPP fraud probes and raises concerns about breach of public trust by law enforcement insiders.