Morris Co. Tour Company Took Millions In Illicit COVID Relief Funds

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — A Morristown-based tour company has settled with the U.S. Attorney’s Office after it illegally collected millions of unauthorized COVID-19 relief loans.

CIE Tours International Inc. applied for two forgivable loans from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which was created in 2020 to help small businesses struggling to pay employees during the economic downturn caused by the pandemic.

CIE Tours International Inc. received the two loans totaling roughly $3.4 million. However, because the company is owned by the government of Ireland, and because it had too many employees, it was not eligible for the loans.

Later, CIE sought forgiveness for the loans, which was granted.

Later, an investigation was opened up after a whistleblower filed suit, claiming the company violated the False Claims Act. CIE fully cooperated with the investigation, officials said.

The investigation revealed that the loans were, in fact, unlawfully received, and CIE agreed to pay roughly $4.4 million in settlement funds.

The whistleblower will receive a $428,985 share from the settlement.