The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine has filed lawsuits against two individuals from South Portland, alleging they fraudulently obtained funds through the CARES Act Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). According to the complaints, Ahmed Suja is accused of securing a PPP loan of $20,833 by falsely claiming ownership and operation of a sole proprietorship with annual gross revenues near $100,000. Similarly, Kamil Suja is alleged to have received a PPP loan of $20,832 under comparable false pretenses.
Court documents state that neither Ahmed nor Kamil Suja owned any business at the time of their applications. The complaint against Kamil Suja further alleges that he used the funds for non-qualifying purposes such as purchasing a car and investing in securities via an online trading platform.
These actions were brought under the False Claims Act (FCA) and the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act (FIRREA). The FCA holds individuals liable if they “knowingly present, or cause to be presented, a false or fraudulent claim for payment or approval” or “knowingly make[], use[], or cause[] to be made or used, a false record or statement material to a false or fraudulent claim.” Penalties include triple damages plus civil penalties per violation; for violations after July 3, 2025, the minimum penalty is set at $14,308 per instance.
Under FIRREA, civil penalties can be imposed on those who knowingly make false statements to influence decisions by federal agencies like the Small Business Administration regarding loans. For violations assessed after July 3, 2025, FIRREA allows penalties up to $2,513,215 per violation.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office notes these cases are part of broader efforts in Maine to detect and address fraudulent acquisition of pandemic relief funds. Federal law changes have extended enforcement timelines for fraud related to PPP loans from six years to ten years.
Both civil actions are filed in federal court: United States v. Suja (2:25-cv-00576-SDN) and United States v. Suja (2:25-cv-00577-SDN), District of Maine.
Officials emphasize that “the claims asserted against the defendants are allegations only. There has been no determination of liability.”
