Amanda Clayborne-Williams, COVID-19 Loan Fraud and Tax Evasion, Louisiana 2020

Amanda Clayborne-Williams Charged in $1.3M COVID-19 Loan Scam

A 44-year-old New Orleans woman has been charged with wire fraud and tax evasion for allegedly scamming the Small Business Administration out of $447,305.98 in COVID-19 relief funds.

Amanda Clayborne-Williams submitted 12 false loan applications through the Paycheck Protection Program and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, seeking approximately $1.3 million, according to a two-count bill of information filed by U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle.

Clayborne-Williams allegedly used the funds for personal and unauthorized expenses, including a mortgage payment on her personal residence. She also attempted to evade paying income tax by filing a false form with the IRS in November 2022, which substantially understated her monthly income and assets.

If convicted of Count One, wire fraud, Clayborne-Williams faces up to 20 years in prison, while Count Two, tax evasion, carries a maximum sentence of five years. Each count also includes a term of supervised release for up to three years and a fine of up to $250,000.

Amanda Clayborne-Williams, 44, was charged with wire fraud and tax evasion in New Orleans, LA, on April 1, 2021.

U.S. Attorney Courcelle praised the work of the Internal Revenue Service on this investigation, which was led by Assistant United States Attorney Maria M. Carboni of the Public Integrity Unit.

Amanda Clayborne-Williams is currently facing charges in connection with the alleged COVID-19 loan scam. If convicted, she will face a mandatory $100 special assessment fee for each count, in addition to the potential prison time and fines mentioned above.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edla/pr/new-orleans-woman-charged-13-million-covid-fraud-and-tax-evasion