5-25-2023 9:44pm

Bayville Adventure Park Owner Pleads Guilty to Multi-Million Dollar Covid Relief Fraud

Samantha Hespos Editor

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As per Breon Peace, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, the proprietor of Bayville Adventure Park has acknowledged culpability for wire fraud and disaster relief fraud. The offenses were committed by obtaining millions of dollars in small business loans intended for mitigating the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, which were utilized for purchasing a residential property.

On Thursday, Donald Finley, who is 61 and lives in Locust Valley, pleaded guilty at the federal courthouse in Central Islip. Finley was the owner of the Jekyll & Hyde restaurant in Manhattan which is now closed. He could face a maximum of 30 years in prison and be required to pay up to $3.2 million in restitution and a fine of up to $1.25 million when he is sentenced on Nov. 8.

According to a statement by Peace, Finley has confessed to using Covid-19 relief funds to cover his personal expenses, such as buying a house in Nantucket, Massachusetts. The statement also mentions that the investigation into individuals who divert money from government aid programs meant for struggling families and small businesses during the pandemic will continue, with the defendant being subject to prosecution.

It was reported in court documents that Finley obtained 29 loans through dishonest means from the federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (EIDLP) from March 2020 to March 2021. With the total amount of approximately $3.2 million, Finley bought a Nantucket property in February 2021.

As a component of the CARES Act, the PPP and EIDLP were created to provide aid to small business owners who are facing financial difficulties by covering their business expenses.

The case was overseen by Arlene R. Lindsay, a United States Magistrate Judge. Christopher Ferguson, located in Manhattan, acted as the defendant's legal representative, while Mark E. Misorek, an Assistant United States Attorney, served as the prosecuting lawyer.