Chanel Galle Indicted for Double CARES Act Fraud

New Orleans, LA – Chanel Galle, 44, has been hit with a double whammy of federal charges for defrauding the CARES Act to the tune of over $41,666. U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans revealed that Galle was indicted by a federal grand jury on February 10, 2023, for two counts of making false statements.

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), an initiative under the CARES Act, was designed to help small businesses survive the economic downturn caused by COVID-19. Galle, however, used the program to her own advantage, according to charging documents. She falsely claimed she owned Coco’s Companion Care, a beautician service, and misstated payroll expenses to secure two separate PPP loans, totaling $41,666.

The first fraudulent loan application, submitted on February 18, 2021, was for about $20,833, while the second, on March 30, 2021, was for approximately $20,832. Galle faces up to five years in prison, fines of up to $250,000, and three years of supervised release per count. A mandatory special assessment fee of $100 is also due after conviction.

U.S. Attorney Evans emphasized that an indictment is not proof of guilt. For those with information on similar frauds, the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or online form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form is available.

The investigation was a team effort, with U.S. Attorney Evans praising the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward J. Rivera will handle the prosecution for this white-collar crime.