Bridgitte Keim, Bank Fraud, Florida 2022

A Temple Terrace woman has been sentenced to two years in federal prison for her role in a bank fraud scheme involving COVID-19 Paycheck Protection Program loans.

Bridgitte Keim, 52, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Charlene Edwards Honeywell. The court also ordered Keim to forfeit $7,500, which was traceable to proceeds of the offense.

Keim pleaded guilty on January 5, 2022. According to court documents, Keim defrauded a federally insured financial institution and the U.S. Small Business Administration by submitting false and fraudulent loan applications and supporting documentation for federally guaranteed Payment Protection Program loans between April and May 2021.

Keim recruited family members to provide their personal information in exchange for free ‘COVID money.’ She prepared and submitted false and fraudulent PPP loan applications to the financial institution on behalf of her relatives in the names of fictitious businesses, knowing that her relatives did not have existing businesses, did not have employees, had no business income, and had no payroll expenses as required by the SBA to qualify for PPP loans.

In furtherance of the scheme, Keim also impersonated the family members in communications with the financial institution.

The case was investigated by the Federal Housing Finance Agency – Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Small Business Administration – Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Chris Poor.

The investigation revealed that Keim’s scheme was a brazen attempt to exploit the COVID-19 pandemic for personal gain. The sentence handed down by Judge Honeywell sends a strong message that such crimes will not be tolerated.

Keim’s sentence is a result of her guilty plea on January 5, 2022. She will begin serving her sentence immediately.

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