Miami Woman Accused of $24M PPP Fraud

Tallahassee, FL – A grim reminder of the financial turmoil caused by the COVID-19 pandemic struck Florida yesterday as Tiara Walker of Miami was charged for orchestrating a staggering $24 million Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) fraud. This marks the nation’s 50th defendant accused of defrauding the program.

Walker, along with her co-conspirators, allegedly prepared at least 90 fraudulent PPP loan applications between May and July 2020, totaling over $24 million in requests. Of those, 42 were approved, leading to a total disbursement of approximately $17.4 million. The scheme was exposed thanks to relentless efforts by federal law enforcement agencies.

The indictment of Walker comes as the Northern District of Florida prosecutes those who exploit the hardships faced by small businesses during the pandemic. U.S. Attorney Keefe emphasized the commitment of federal prosecutors to ‘devote significant resources to prosecute offenders who divert COVID-19 relief funds away from legitimate small business owners.’

Walker was arrested on September 9, 2020, and faces charges of Wire Fraud, Bank Fraud, and Conspiracy to Commit Wire and Bank Fraud. The CARES Act, enacted on March 29, 2020, provided up to $349 billion in forgivable loans for small businesses under the PPP, aiming to retain jobs amidst the economic downturn.

The Paycheck Protection Program offers loans with a two-year maturity and a one percent interest rate, intended for payroll costs, mortgage interest, rent, and utilities. The program was intended to help struggling businesses stay afloat during the crisis. For those with information about PPP fraud, the Department of Justice encourages reporting through their National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is dedicated to ensuring justice is served in cases like Walker’s. For more information or public court documents, visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website.

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