Identity Theft & PPP Fraud Earns Woman Extra Time

Miami, FL – Tanika Candy Hospedales, 44, of Trinidad and Tobago, just added nearly two years to her prison sentence. The feds hit her with an additional 21 months for brazenly using a stolen identity while already facing charges for COVID-19 relief fraud. Hospedales initially defrauded the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), then doubled down on deception, impersonating the victim of her own identity theft and lying to investigators.

Hospedales snagged a $84,515 PPP loan in May 2020 by posing as Keyaira Bostic, using Bostic’s personal information without permission. Her company, I Am Liquid Inc., was a front for the scheme. But the initial fraud was just the beginning. Hospedales didn’t stop there, roping in others to submit fraudulent applications totaling a staggering $3,345,895. The total attempted loss from the conspiracy reached over $3.4 million.

When federal investigators started digging, Hospedales didn’t just deny wrongdoing – she became Keyaira Bostic. She falsely identified herself as the victim in court, during interviews, and even with the probation office. The audacity reached new heights when she surrendered a U.S. passport, fraudulently obtained back in 2012, bearing Bostic’s name. This wasn’t just a cover-up; it was a full-blown attempt to derail the investigation.

Federal prosecutors weren’t buying it. The charges quickly expanded to include wire fraud, bank fraud, conspiracy, and obstruction of justice. Hospedales eventually pleaded guilty to the obstruction charge, admitting she knowingly used a false identity to impede the investigation. The feds confirmed her true identity and temporary visa status, solidifying the case against her.

The investigation was a joint effort between IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), the FBI, and the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS). Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr., of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, and U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, oversaw the prosecution. Special Agents Matthew D. Line (IRS-CI), Jeffrey B. Veltri (FBI), and Philippe Furstenberg (DSS) led the teams on the ground.

The additional 21-month sentence will run concurrently with the sentence she received for the original PPP fraud. Hospedales will also face a period of supervised release following her incarceration. This case serves as a harsh warning: attempting to obstruct a federal investigation, especially with identity theft, will only compound the consequences. The feds are cracking down on pandemic-era fraud, and they’re not letting anyone off easy.

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