Rapids co-conspirator pleads guilty

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A Niagara Falls man is facing up to 30 years in prison and a potential $1 million fine after pleading guilty to defrauding COVID relief programs out of more than $1.8million, the United States Attorney’s Office announced.

Roberto Soliman, 43, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud.

Officials said that Soliman and co-defendant John Hutchins filed fraudulent loan applications with the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program, the Paycheck Protection Program and the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant.

Officials said between March 2020 and March 2024, Soliman and Hutchins applied for loans under these companies, which were owned by Hutchins:

• Rapids Theatre Niagara Falls, USA, Inc.
• 1711 Main, LLC
• Bear Creek Entertainment, LLC
• Hutch Enterprises, LLC
• The Hutchins Agency, LLC
• CWE Entertainment, Corp. (owned by Soliman)

Between March and August 2020, Hutchins and Soliman received the following loans:

• Five Economic Injury Disaster loans adding up to $779,500
• SVOG loans adding up to $989,905.05
• PPP loans adding up to $115,978

Hutchins, of Lewiston, is the former owner of the Rapids Theatre in Niagara Falls. Hutchins previously pleaded guilty and has yet to be sentenced.

Soliman is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 29.