The seal of the U.S. Justice Department is seen on the podium in the Department's headquarters briefing room in Washington, Jan. 24, 2023. (Reuters/Kevin Lamarque/File)
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A Fresno man was sentenced Monday to 14 months in federal prison for defrauding the Paycheck Protection Program during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gurjeet Bath, 37, was also ordered to pay a $100,000 criminal fine after pleading guilty to theft of government property, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.
“During a time when legitimate businesses were struggling to survive, this defendant chose to exploit a program designed to keep workers employed,” Grant said. “He has since pleaded guilty and repaid the stolen funds, but that does not erase the harm caused. Today’s sentence reflects the seriousness of that fraud and our commitment to holding accountable those who abuse programs meant to help our communities in times of crisis.”
Court documents show Bath and family members ran two trucking businesses, G.S. Bath Inc. and Complete Transportation Solutions, in Fresno County.
In 2020 and 2021, he applied for and received three PPP loans totaling more than $1 million by falsifying employee records and inflating wages.
The funds were used to purchase two parcels of agricultural land in Fresno County, authorities said.
Bath pleaded guilty on May 27, 2025.
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