Planned Parenthood of San Antonio and Houston do not intend to return Payroll Protection Program loans they received.
“We have no plans to return these essential funds,” said Jeffrey Hons, CEO of the Planned Parenthood clinic in San Antonio, reported Dallas News.
Each clinic received between $1-$2 million in April and May from the PPP coronavirus relief program.
However Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas did return its $2 million to $5 million loan on May 28, in order to avoid an expensive lawsuit.
“Elected officials singled us out based on political reasons,” said Sarah Wheat, chief external affairs officer for the Dallas clinic.
“In May, it was revealed on Fox News’s Tucker Carlson Tonight that Planned Parenthood affiliates received $80 million in forgivable loans through the PPP program in violation of the rules of the relief program, “ according to Breitbart.
Carlson reported that 37 affiliates of the abortion industry giant applied for and received the coronavirus funds.
SBA officials and some members of Congress demanded the money be returned, asserting possible criminal prosecution may apply.
According to SBA, the Planned Parenthood Federation of America was never eligible for the funds that have been loaned to organizations with 500 employees or less.
“Those funds must be returned immediately,” Chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship Marco Rubio (R-Florida) said. “Furthermore, the SBA should open an investigation into how these loans were made in clear violation of the applicable affiliation rules and if Planned Parenthood, the banks, or staff at the SBA knowingly violated the law, all appropriate legal options should be pursued.”