Florida man accused of using coronavirus relief funds to buy Lamborghini

A Florida man has been arrested after allegedly using coronavirus relief funds to buy a Lamborghini sports car and other luxury items. 

David T. Hines, 29, from Miami, allegedly obtained $4 million in Covid-19 relief funds after applying for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans for small businesses. 

He had allegedly sought over $13 million in PPP loans and sent fraudulent loan applications on behalf of several companies. 

The PPP loan is designed to protect employees and cover other legitimate costs like rent during the coronavirus pandemic. 

The Department of Justice states that PPP loans must be used by businesses for ‘payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent and utilities’.  

Hines has been charged with one count of bank fraud, one count of making false statements to a financial institution and one count of engaging in transactions in unlawful proceeds.

As well as the luxury Lamborghini Huracan Evo, Hines also allegedly splashed out on clothes and jewelry, high-end hotel stays on Miami Beach, and thousands of dollars on dating websites. 

Hines allegedly bought a luxury Lamborghini Huracan Evo with the PPP loans he obtained (pictured above) 

Federal investigators linked the Lamborghini to Hines after he became involved in a hit-and-run accident on July 11, the Miami Herald reported.  

He was arrested on July 27 and appeared in Miami federal court charged with fraud and other offenses. 

At the time of his arrest, authorities seized the 2020 Lamborghini Huracan valued at $318,000, as well as $3.4 million from his bank accounts. 

Hines was granted a $100,000 bond to stay at his mother’s home with a GPS monitor. 

His arraignment is scheduled for October 14.