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Former Corrections Officer Charged with COVID-19 Relief Fraud
Deconna Burke, a 34-year-old former corrections officer at the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, has been indicted on charges of wire fraud involving COVID-19 relief funds through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
According to the indictment, Burke submitted a PPP loan application in April 2021, falsely claiming to operate a babysitting business with a gross income of $98,000. The application included multiple false statements regarding his purported payroll and operating expenses. Burke also submitted a false IRS Form 1040, which contained false statements about operating expenses, gross income, and wage expenditures for his purported business.
In reliance on the false statements, Burke received a PPP loan for $20,415. He then began making withdrawals and spending the funds on personal expenses, including paying off a loan for a motorcycle. In November 2021, Burke filed a PPP Loan Forgiveness Application, falsely stating that he had spent the $20,415 on payroll. The Small Business Administration forgave the entire loan amount in reliance on his false statements.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
The case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the United States Secret Service – Jacksonville Field Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein, with asset forfeiture handled by Assistant United States Attorney Mai Tran.
Burke’s case is set for trial in July 2023. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison and payment of restitution to the United States government.
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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