Denver resident DeJane Reaniece Lattany, 32, has pleaded guilty to wire fraud after systematically looting over $3.3 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds. The scheme spanned from June 2020 to December 2021, exploiting the CARES Act’s programs designed to keep struggling businesses afloat during the pandemic. Instead of helping legitimate enterprises, Lattany used the money to line her own pockets.
The feds say Lattany submitted a barrage of fraudulent applications to the Small Business Administration (SBA) for both Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL). She fabricated details about employee numbers, gross revenues, and expenses for businesses she falsely claimed to own. The applications were riddled with lies, falsely certifying the funds would be used for legitimate business purposes when, in reality, they weren’t. She also secured $20,000 in Economic Injury Disaster Grants (EIDG).
The scope of the fraud is staggering. Lattany raked in $2,887,976.94 in PPP loans and $430,000 in EIDL loans, totaling $3,337,976.94. This wasn’t a case of a few bad checks; it was a calculated and sustained effort to steal from a program intended for those genuinely in need. She backed up her lies with forged documentation, further complicating the investigation.
Lattany appeared before United States District Court Judge Nina Y. Wang on April 26, 2023, and entered a guilty plea. Sentencing is scheduled for August 15, 2023. She now faces significant prison time and hefty financial penalties for her brazen deception. The feds aren’t cutting her any slack.
The investigation was spearheaded by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Denver Division, with Assistant United States Attorneys Nicole C. Cassidy and Rebecca S. Weber leading the prosecution. This case is part of a broader crackdown on pandemic-related fraud orchestrated by the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force, established by the Attorney General in May 2021.
This isn’t an isolated incident. Federal prosecutors are actively pursuing hundreds of similar cases nationwide. The Task Force is dedicated to recovering stolen funds and holding accountable those who exploited the pandemic for personal gain. Anyone with knowledge of COVID-19 relief fraud is urged to report it to the appropriate authorities. The feds are sending a clear message: stealing from relief programs won’t be tolerated.
Related Federal Cases
Key Facts
- Category: White Collar Crime
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly.
Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
White Collar CrimeWhite Collar CrimeWhite Collar CrimeWhite Collar Crime