Cincinnati resident Kelli Prather, 51, learned her fate this week: a federal jury found her guilty on multiple counts of fraud related to COVID-19 relief programs. Prather wasn’t after millions, but the scheme itself demonstrates how easily the massive pandemic aid programs were exploited. She attempted to siphon over $1.2 million, successfully pocketing nearly $19,800 before the feds caught on.
The charges are serious: six counts of bank fraud, one count of making false statements, four counts of wire fraud, and three counts of aggravated identity theft. Prather allegedly fabricated business ownership details while applying for both Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL). She wasn’t running a legitimate operation; she was running a scam, preying on a system designed to help struggling Americans.
Federal prosecutors laid out the case with loan applications, financial records, and investigative testimony. The evidence painted a clear picture of a calculated attempt to defraud the government. The prosecution didn’t need to prove she needed the money; they needed to prove she knowingly lied to get it, and the jury agreed. The scale of the attempted fraud – over a million dollars requested – speaks to a brazen level of audacity.
While Prather only managed to collect around $19,800, the aggravated identity theft charges are particularly damning. Using someone else’s identity to commit fraud carries a mandatory minimum sentence, adding significant weight to the potential punishment. This isn’t a slap-on-the-wrist crime; it’s a felony that could land her in prison for years.
Sentencing is pending a pre-sentence investigation report, which will detail Prather’s background and criminal history. Each charge carries its own maximum sentence, meaning she could face a considerable amount of time behind bars. U.S. District Court Judge Matthew W. McFarland will ultimately determine the sentence, taking into account the severity of the crime and any mitigating factors. Assistant United States Attorneys are handling the prosecution.
This conviction is part of a larger effort by the Financial Crimes Working Group Pandemic Fraud Committee to hold accountable those who exploited COVID-19 relief programs. While the $19,800 Prather stole is a relatively small amount compared to some other fraud cases, federal prosecutors are sending a clear message: exploiting a national crisis for personal gain will not be tolerated. Expect more convictions to come as the feds continue to untangle the web of pandemic-related fraud.
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