Lil Wayne Allegedly Falsified Drug Use for $9M Pandemic Loan

Amidst the pandemic, Lil Wayne faces accusations regarding his SBA loan application, raising questions about the veracity of his claims regarding drug use to obtain a $9 million loan.

Recent scrutiny arose following a Business Insider investigation published on March 11, shedding light on loans allocated in 2021 to artists such as Lil Wayne and Post Malone.

Obtaining documents through a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit against the SBA, the publication delved into the details.

Both artists affirmed that their touring companies maintained a “drug-free workplace” to qualify for the grants they secured.

However, Lil Wayne’s public acknowledgment of his marijuana use has prompted concerns of potential fraudulence, prompting Business Insider to seek clarification from the SBA.

Responding via email after the initial publication, the SBA clarified that the drug certification pertained narrowly to workplace conditions and did not extend to personal actions of individuals like Lil Wayne or Post Malone, nor did it encompass drug use outside the specified period from March 2020 to June 2022. Nonetheless, the SBA continues to investigate certain loans disbursed during this time.

“The SBA’s ongoing monitoring and auditing process of grant recipients remain active,” the agency stated. “As of now, approximately $40 million has been reimbursed by SVOG grantees, with additional cases referred for ongoing criminal investigation or civil recovery. Notably, none of these recoveries are related to the drug-free certification.”

These developments underscore the ongoing scrutiny surrounding government relief programs and highlight the importance of accurate disclosures in loan applications.