Reader's library

Plain-language articles for people who were there.

If you were laid off, furloughed, or had your hours cut during 2020–2021 while your employer received federal PPP funds, the articles below explain the law, your situation, and what to do next. Written in plain English. No legal jargon. No cost to read.

01

My employer got PPP money and still laid me off — what does that mean?

If your employer received a PPP loan during 2020 or 2021 — and then cut your job, reduced your hours, or let you go anyway — you are not imagining something. You are describing a fact pattern the federal government specifically cares about. Start here.

02

How to tell if your former employer committed PPP forgiveness fraud

The foundational guide. Explains what the paperwork required, the seven patterns that signal something wrong, and how the False Claims Act works for ordinary employees. The deep-dive version of Article 01.

03

How to check if your former employer received a PPP loan

PPP loan data is public record. A step-by-step walkthrough of the SBA database, ProPublica, and other reliable sources. No login or payment required. About ten minutes to complete.

04

What evidence do you need to report PPP fraud?

Less than most people think. A practical inventory of the evidence categories that matter — your pay stubs, separation notice, W-2, and a written account are usually enough to start. What you don't need is a smoking-gun document.

05

Can you report PPP fraud if your company already got forgiveness?

The misconception that matters most. SBA forgiveness does not preclude a False Claims Act case — and in many of the largest PPP settlements to date, the loan had already been forgiven when the case was filed.

06

What happens when you report PPP fraud as a former employee

Step-by-step through the process: the first call, the engagement, the pre-filing investigation, filing under seal, the government's investigation, the intervention decision, and what the employer eventually learns. The fears, answered directly.

07

How much do whistleblowers get from PPP fraud cases?

The math, explained in plain language. The False Claims Act provides 15–30% of the government's recovery. Here's exactly how that works, what real PPP cases have produced, and what affects the percentage in any given case.

08

Restaurant workers and PPP fraud

No industry received more PPP loans than food service. No industry laid off more workers. Former restaurant employees are uniquely positioned to witness specific fraud patterns — here's what to look for, and what you already know.

09

Hotel and hospitality layoffs during PPP

The hospitality industry shut down overnight. PPP funds flowed in at the same time layoffs and furloughs accelerated. Hotel, resort, event venue, and banquet staff witnessed specific patterns — from furlough-to-termination conversions to multi-property manipulations.

10

Retail workers laid off during PPP

Non-essential retail absorbed a significant share of PPP funding while producing one of the largest pandemic layoff waves. Commission manipulation, store-closure accounting, and corporate-vs-store headcount tricks are specific patterns that show up in retail PPP cases.

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