John Bolden, a 47-year-old former detective with the New York Police Department (NYPD), was sentenced to four years in prison for orchestrating a fraudulent scheme that exploited the COVID-19 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Between May 2020 and October 2022, Bolden assisted 65 clients in securing nearly $3 million in loans by submitting false tax documents through his tax-preparation business. U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella criticized Bolden for abusing his position as a law enforcement officer to defraud the federal government. In addition to his prison sentence, Bolden was ordered to pay $303,138 in restitution and forfeit $112,002. His scheme involved collaboration with an unnamed co-conspirator who devised the fraudulent loan application process, as well as family members who referred clients in exchange for kickbacks. Fellow NYPD officer Anthony Carreira was also implicated for obtaining fraudulent loans and paying Bolden kickbacks. Bolden pleaded guilty to the charges in February 2023.