Owner of Charlotte restaurant, son charged with COVID-19 relief fraud

WCNC Charlotte reports the owner of a Middle Eastern restaurant and his son have been charged for allegedly fraudulently securing more than $1.7 million in Paycheck Protection Program loans.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, 55-year-old Izzat Freitekh, who owns La Shish Kabob in east Charlotte, and his 33-year-old son Tarik Freitekh are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of bank fraud. Prosecutors said Izzat is also charged with one count of false statements.

The two are accused of submitting fraudulent PPP loan applications on behalf of three companies: La Shish Kabob Restaurant in Charlotte and La Shish Catering, Green Apple Catering LLC and Aroma Packaging Systems.

According to prosecutors, law enforcement recovered $1.3 million of the more than $1.7 million in PPP funds.