The owner of an iconic New York bookstore was forced to pay a fee for improper receipt of COVID-19 pandemic relief funds, the Department of Justice said Tuesday.

The owner of Strand Book Store have agreed to pay nearly $1.5 million.

Officials say the business violated the False Claims Act by improperly applying for and receiving a second draw loan under the Paycheck Protection Program. The loan was for $932,350.

The business was not eligible to receive the funding because owner Nancy Bass Wyden is the wife of Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR).

Federal law bars any businesses controlled by a member of Congress or their spouse from receiving those loans.

Bass says she was unaware of the restriction and has paid the money back.