Federal Suit Alleges Portland Bar Owner Swindled $350K in COVID Funds for Closed Eugene Venue
Federal prosecutors have sued Ramzy Hattar, owner of Portland’s River Pig Saloon, alleging he fraudulently obtained nearly $350,000 in pandemic relief funds for Taylor’s Bar & Grill in Eugene, a venue that had permanently closed weeks before the loans were requested. The lawsuit claims Hattar falsely certified the closed bar had active employees and listed the Portland address of his other business as the location for the defunct Eugene venue. If found liable under the False Claims Act, Hattar could face damages exceeding $1 million.