Ebone Myrriah Mott, PPP Loan and Unemployment Insurance Scam, Texas 2023

15 Charged in PPP Loan and Unemployment Insurance Scam

In a shocking case of financial deception, 15 individuals, including a Louisiana woman, have been charged with participating in schemes to defraud government aid programs, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. The suspects, ranging from 28 to 40 years old, allegedly used falsified documents to obtain Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and unemployment insurance benefits.

The final five taken into custody are expected to make their initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Dena Hanovice Palermo at 2 p.m. Those include Brittany Garner-Richard, 38, Humble; Miguel Bell, 39, Port Arthur; Candace Booker and Andrea King, both 33 and of Beaumont; and Joshe Johnson, 34, Corrigan.

A federal grand jury returned the 18-count indictment on March 4. The charges allege Ebone Myrriah Mott, 37, Houston, conspired with others to falsify applications and claims to help them qualify for PPP loans and unemployment insurance benefits for which they were not otherwise eligible. Mott allegedly created fictitious companies, prepared falsified records and submitted the applications on behalf of co-conspirators, who paid her approximately $200 up front and 10% of the payouts.

The Small Business Administration relied on the fraudulent loan applications, insurance claims and falsified supporting records in the application process and the subsequent disbursement of loan proceeds or benefits, according to the charges. Mott is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and 17 counts of wire fraud.

In addition to Garner-Richard, Bell, Booker, King and Johnson, all others are also charged in the conspiracy and one or two counts of wire fraud. They were also taken into custody between March 23-26 and include Tiara Petties, 31, and Jennifer Petties, 32, both of Livingston; Kierra Patrice Chancey, 29, and Dekovan Williams, 28, both of Nacogdoches; Roy Shemeaker, 38, Dallas; Trakeesha Nishell Brown, 40, Lufkin; Veronica Moses, 40, Diboll, Travecia Hampton-Isabell, 37, Whitehouse, and Frankie Desiree Bogany, 33, Vivian, Louisiana.

PPP loans are a source of financial relief provided by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, a federal law enacted in March 2020 designed to provide emergency financial assistance to Americans who were suffering economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Unemployment insurance provides benefits to persons who are out of work due to no fault of their own and who meet other eligibility requirements of state laws.

If convicted, each face up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

The investigation was conducted by the Department of State - Diplomatic Security Service, Department of Labor - Office of Inspector General and California Employment Development Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Day is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/15-charged-scheme-defraud-government-aid-programs