Mother-Daughter Duo Jailed for $1.7M COVID-19 Scam

COVID-19 Con Artists Behind Bars

ALICIA AYERS, 37, and ANDREA AYERS, 57, a mother-daughter duo from Mount Vernon, New York, are facing the consequences of their $1.7 million COVID-19 fraud scheme. On [date], they were sentenced to two years in prison followed by six months of home confinement and 42 months in prison, respectively, for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and making false statements.

The SBA was the victim of this brazen scheme, which involved the use of the identities of approximately 300 other individuals to submit applications for low-interest loans. The applications falsely claimed that these individuals owned businesses with 10 or more employees, when in reality, many of them did not own businesses or have any employees. Based on these fraudulent applications, the SBA made advance payments of approximately $1,690,000 to the applicants, who then kicked back a portion of the advance payments to ALICIA AYERS and ANDREA AYERS.

“These defendants stole from a taxpayer-funded program intended to help small businesses that were in desperate need of assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Damian Williams. “As their convictions and sentences reflect, my Office is determined to continue to work to bring to justice those who exploit and defraud government programs during a national emergency.”

The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the case is being prosecuted by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffrey C. Coffman and Courtney L. Heavey are in charge of the prosecution.

In addition to their prison terms, ALICIA AYERS and ANDREA AYERS were each sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay forfeiture in the amount of $1,690,000 and to pay restitution to the SBA in the amount of $1,690,000.

The sentences handed down to ALICIA AYERS and ANDREA AYERS serve as a stark reminder that those who engage in such egregious crimes will be held accountable. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and provide updates as more information becomes available.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought out the worst in some individuals, and ALICIA AYERS and ANDREA AYERS are a prime example of this. Their actions not only enriched themselves but also put the integrity of government programs at risk. The Grimy Times will continue to shine a light on such crimes and bring the perpetrators to justice.”