The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon has filed a civil forfeiture complaint targeting two properties in Provo, Utah, allegedly acquired with funds linked to a fraud scheme.
According to the complaint, Benjamin Young, 39, of Provo, Utah, served as Financial Manager for a nonprofit organization from July 2020 through May 2025. During this period, he is accused of embezzling funds from the organization’s financial accounts. The diverted funds included federally backed Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans that were meant to support payroll and essential operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The complaint states that Young used these funds to purchase a $3.5 million commercial office suite in Provo under the name Square the Books, a separate company he controlled. He then leased this property back to the nonprofit organization.
To hide the source of the money, Young allegedly created a fictitious $2.5 million short-term loan and used it to secure a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loan under false pretenses. While certifying that SBA loan proceeds would be used to repay the supposed short-term loan, authorities allege that Young actually used PPP loan proceeds and other diverted funds from his employer for the property purchase. He is further alleged to have laundered SBA loan proceeds by transferring them into personal bank accounts and using part of those funds to buy a second property—a $570,000 condominium in Provo.
Based on these allegations, federal authorities are seeking forfeiture of both properties.
The Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation and U.S. Small Business Administration – Office of Inspector General are investigating the case. Christopher Cardani, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon, is handling the civil forfeiture action.
Authorities emphasized that all accusations remain allegations at this stage: “The accusations in the complaint, and the description of the complaint, constitute only allegations that certain property is subject to forfeiture. The United States must prove, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the property is subject to forfeiture.”
