CINCINNATI – Willie Boyce, 41, is trading one cell for another, this time on federal charges. The Cincinnati man was indicted today by a federal grand jury for allegedly defrauding the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) out of over $40,700 while already serving time in a Hamilton County jail.
Boyce, currently incarcerated again on state charges, allegedly submitted two fraudulent applications in April 2021, claiming ownership of a taxi and ridesharing business conveniently named “Willie Boyce.” The audacity? He claimed a gross income of $98,500 for 2019 – a year he spent entirely behind bars. The indictment details how Boyce used a halfway house address as his business location and backed up his lies with a forged bank statement.
Federal investigators say the scheme worked. In early May 2021, Boyce received the ill-gotten Covid relief funds. But instead of using the money to legitimately support a business, or even basic living expenses, Boyce allegedly blew it on high-end purchases. Receipts show spending at Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Expedia, Hampton Inn, and Delta Airlines – a shopping spree fueled by taxpayer dollars and blatant dishonesty.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio is hitting Boyce with four counts of wire fraud, a federal offense that carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison. This isn’t just a slap on the wrist; it’s a serious attempt to hold accountable those who preyed on a crisis for personal gain. The indictment paints a clear picture of a man who saw the PPP as a personal ATM.
“This case demonstrates our commitment to pursuing and prosecuting individuals who exploit federal programs for their own enrichment,” stated a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The investigation was a coordinated effort involving the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Secret Service, Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles Investigations, and the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office. Special Assistant United States Attorney Timothy Landry is leading the prosecution.
It’s crucial to remember that an indictment is not a conviction. Boyce is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. However, the evidence presented suggests a calculated and brazen attempt to defraud a program designed to help struggling businesses during a time of unprecedented hardship. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on any developments.
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Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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