Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – The owner of La Fiesta Grande in Springfield was sentenced to a 18 months in prison for concealing a felony in connection with false statements on loan applications. Omar Hernandez-Lopez, 39, was sentenced Thursday in federal court.

Evidence showed that starting in June 2018 and until at least June 2019, Hernandez-Lopez was aware of falsified documents submitted to loan providers and acted to conceal the fraudulent nature of the documents. Two loan packages were submitted in to attempt to secure a business loan for the restaurant, and two other fraudulent packages were submitted in an attempt to obtain a home mortgage loan.

Evidence in the case showed Hernandez-Lopez’s name on the deed for the house for the fraudulent mortgage, and he operated the restaurant. Thursday’s sentencing follows Hernandez-Lopez’s guilty plea in April.