Owner of popular Springfield restaurant faces up to 3 years in prison

A Springfield restaurant owner pleaded guilty in federal court earlier this month to concealment of a felony in connection with wire fraud and false statements on loan applications.

Omar Hernandez-Lopez, 39, the owner of El Tapatio de Jalisco Inc., a company doing business as La Fiesta Grande, 2830 Stevenson Drive, faces up to three years in prison, a $250,000 fine and restitution as ordered by the court.

The guilty plea is pending before U.S. District Court Judge Sue Myerscough. Sentencing for Hernandez-Lopez is scheduled for August 29 at the Paul Findley Federal Building & U.S. Courthouse.

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Hernandez-Lopez was indicted in late 2020.

In court, Hernandez-Lopez admitted that for about a year he concealed the fraudulent nature of several falsified documents that were submitted to loan providers.

Two fraudulent loan packages were submitted in an attempt to obtain a business loan for La Fiesta Grande. The other two fraudulent loan packages were submitted in a successful attempt to obtain a home mortgage loan.

Hernandez-Lopez was aware of the submission of fraudulent documents and took steps to conceal their fraudulent nature from the loan companies and law enforcement.

Hernandez-Lopez remains free pending sentencing.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sierra Senor-Moore and Tanner Jacobs are representing the government in the prosecution.

Contact Steven Spearie: (217) 622-1788; [email protected]; X, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Owner of popular Springfield Mexican restaurant faces time in prison