Collins Couple Pleads Guilty to $5.7M COVID-19 Fraud

ATLANTA – The grimy details of a fraudulent scheme have been laid bare as Tiyari Collins, owner of Collins Financial Services Group, and his wife Farah Collins pleaded guilty to committing nearly $6 million in COVID-19-related fraud. The couple siphoned millions from the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Impact Disaster Loan (EIDL) programs, as well as the IRS through fraudulent tax returns.

“The fraud here is outrageous,” said U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine, denouncing the couple’s actions during a historic pandemic. “It is unconscionable that they stole from government programs designed to support small businesses and employees struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The Collinses’ greed was not confined to one scheme. According to court documents, Tiyari Collins submitted fraudulent applications for six PPP loans and five EIDL loans, while Farah Collins was involved in four of these fraudulent applications. The couple received more than $1.9 million in SBA loan funds and an additional $365,000 through their fraudulent activities.

IRS-Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge James E. Dorsey highlighted the impact of such crimes on American taxpayers: “It’s unfortunate that criminals continue to abuse the funds set aside to aid those impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic. IRS-CI will continue to use our financial expertise to identify fraud, trace the funds, and bring the criminals to justice.”

Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta, echoed the sentiment: “The Collins family greedily lined their pockets with stolen government funds intended to provide relief to small businesses and employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their actions affect every tax-paying citizen, in particular those who need help most. The FBI will make every effort to ensure federal funds are used as intended.”

The CARES Act, enacted on March 29, 2020, provided emergency financial assistance to millions of Americans affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. One of its provisions was the authorization of up to $349 billion in forgivable loans through the PPP. The SBA’s EIDL Program also expanded, offering low-interest loans to small businesses struggling due to the pandemic.

The fraudulent applications filed by the Collinses falsely represented their company’s payroll and employee numbers, among other things, to secure the funds. These actions were a slap in the face to honest businesses and individuals who genuinely needed the relief during these challenging times.