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Investigation Uncovers PPP Loans Linked to Illegal Immigrant Truck Driver
FIRST ON FOX: Borko Stankovic, an illegal immigrant in Indiana, is under scrutiny after allegedly causing a deadly semi-truck accident. Records reveal that Stankovic owned a company that received over $35,000 in Paycheck Protection Program loans.
The Incident on U.S. Highway 20
Stankovic was driving on U.S. Highway 20 on Wednesday, October 15, when he failed to slow down as traffic halted due to a Ram Sprinter making a turn near Douglas Drive. According to the Portage Police Department, Stankovic tried to make a sharp left turn, veering into oncoming traffic and colliding with a Subaru Crosstrek.
This reckless maneuver caused the semi-truck to jackknife, striking the Ram Sprinter, which then collided with a road sign. Jeffrey Eberly, 54, the driver of the Subaru, tragically lost his life at the scene.
Stankovic’s Immigration Status and Driving Credentials
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated that Stankovic had been residing in the U.S. illegally since his nonimmigrant visa expired in February 2011. Reports indicate that he held a suspended Illinois commercial driver’s license belonging to a family member instead of having a valid CDL himself.
Financial Aid During a National Crisis
According to PPP records analyzed by ProPublica, Stankovic’s two companies, Eclipse Trucking Inc. and ESD Team Inc., received a total of $36,082 through the COVID-19 relief program. Official business registration documents from Illinois and Indiana confirm Stankovic as the owner of both firms.
Furthermore, records show that the PPP loans granted to Stankovic’s businesses were forgiven. Notably, both companies reported having only one employee.
Previous Legal Troubles and Immigration Actions
Stankovic’s legal history includes an arrest in November 2018 in Long Island, New York, for resisting arrest and obstructing governmental administration. McLaughlin provided this information, highlighting ongoing concerns about Stankovic’s status upon recent events.
Following the October 15 crash, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement lodged an immigration detainer against him at the Porter County Jail as he faced criminal charges. Stankovic was charged with reckless homicide and criminal recklessness, both felonies.
Concerns Over Access to Taxpayer Funds
Rosemary Jenks, policy director for the Immigration Accountability Project, voiced serious worries regarding the ability of illegal immigrants to access federal funds, particularly during the pandemic. Jenks noted the absence of checks on applicants for government assistance under the Biden administration’s COVID-19 initiatives.
She emphasized, Americans should be alarmed that illegal aliens can access any government benefits. The PPP loans intended to support individuals during a crisis should not be available to those who are undocumented, as taxpayer dollars should prioritize Americans in need.
The Ongoing Response from Law Enforcement
As law enforcement continues to process Stankovic’s immigration status, he remains among those targeted by the Department of Homeland Security. McLaughlin indicated that efforts are underway to remove illegal truck drivers from the highways, particularly those unaware of basic traffic laws.
