ATLANTA — In a bold and daring move to exploit the COVID-19 pandemic’s relief programs, Salimot Akande, Garey Henderson, and Jacqueline Rollizo have been arraigned on federal fraud and money laundering charges. The trio is accused of siphoning off nearly $2 million in proceeds from these critical programs.
United States Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg expressed his disappointment in the unscrupulous actions of these individuals. ‘Stealing from pandemic relief programs is a betrayal of public trust,’ said Hertzberg, emphasizing the government’s commitment to investigating and prosecuting those who enrich themselves at the expense of legitimate business owners.
Salimot Akande, 41, Garey Henderson, 45, and Jacqueline Rollizo, 52, all from Georgia, are alleged to have obtained approximately $1.6 million in fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program loans for businesses associated with them. To secure these funds, they submitted falsified tax filings and loan applications containing false information.
Not content with one scheme, Akande and Henderson also reportedly secured fraudulent Economic Injury Disaster Loans (‘EIDLs’). Akande’s business received a $48,900 EIDL loan, while Henderson’s two businesses collectively received $299,800. The trio is accused of moving the funds through multiple bank accounts to conceal their true source.
The 38-count indictment against them includes charges of bank fraud, wire fraud, bank and wire fraud conspiracy, concealment and transactional money laundering, and money laundering conspiracy. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
This case is a stark reminder of the efforts being made by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to protect pandemic relief programs from those who seek to exploit them for personal gain. Assistant United States Attorney Sarah E. Klapman is leading the prosecution.
RELATED: North Korea Hack Scheme Lands Trio in Federal Prison
RELATED: GD Gangsters Face Life Behind Bars for Tripled Murder
Related Federal Cases
- Georgia’s Crabtree & Donnan Hit with 85-Count Ponzi Scheme Indictment · Georgia
- Bio-Tech Management’s Murray Hit With Pesticide Fraud Charges · Washington
- Heard Father-Son Duo Hit With $5M Bank Fraud Sentence · Georgia
- Card Fraud Ring Leaders Sentenced in Georgia · Georgia
- Georgia Woman Accused of ID Theft Refund Fraud · Alabama
Key Facts
- State: Georgia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Public Corruption|White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News