Niagara Falls Man Admits to $1.8 Million COVID Relief Fraud Scheme

A Niagara Falls resident pleaded guilty to his role in a conspiracy to defraud federal COVID relief programs out of more than $1.8 million according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

He now faces up to three decades in prison and a fine that could reach $1 million.

Roberto Soliman, 43, entered a guilty plea to charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud.

Federal authorities stated that Soliman, alongside co-defendant John Hutchins, submitted fraudulent applications to several pandemic relief initiatives: the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), and the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG).

Between March 2020 and March 2024, the two men submitted applications tied to businesses associated with Hutchins, which included Rapids Theatre Niagara Falls, USA, Inc., 1711 Main, LLC, Bear Creek Entertainment, LLC, Hutch Enterprises, LLC, and The Hutchins Agency, LLC.

Soliman also submitted applications on behalf of CWE Entertainment, Corp., a business he owns and operates.

Between March and August 2020, Soliman and Hutchins were awarded Five EIDL loans totaling $779,500, SVOG loans amounting to $989,905.05, and PPP loans totaling $115,978.

Hutchins, who previously owned the Rapids Theatre in Niagara Falls, has already entered a guilty plea and is currently awaiting sentencing. Hutchins, 71, of Lewiston, also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud. He faces the same maximum penalties as Soliman - up to 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine.

In the original indictment, federal prosecutors alleged that both Hutchins and Soliman submitted false information - including inflated revenue and expense figures - to obtain the relief funds, which were intended to support businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic under the CARES Act.

Investigators from the FBI and IRS stated that instead of using the relief money for legitimate business purposes, both men used the funds for personal expenses.

Niagara Falls Man Admits to $1.8 Million COVID Relief Fraud Scheme