Marisa Beck, COVID-19 Relief Fraud, Washington 2023

Table of Contents

Feds Sentence Spokane Resident to Prison for COVID-19 Relief Fraud

A Spokane, Washington resident was sentenced to prison for fraudulently obtaining more than $360,000 in COVID-19 relief funding intended for endangered small businesses and employees at risk of losing their jobs.

Marisa Beck, 41, of Spokane, was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, as well as restitution of $402,020.32, representing the total loss to the public as a result of the fraud.

The sentencing took place on an unknown date in Spokane, Washington. The case was investigated by the Eastern Washington COVID Fraud Strike Force, and in particular by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, Spokane Resident Office, with investigative assistance and support from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Spokane Resident Agency, the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General, Western Regional Office, and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigative Division, Seattle Field Office.

Assistant United States Attorney Dan Fruchter prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States.

Ms. Beck admitted to fraudulently obtaining $368,829 in PPP and EIDL funding for three purported businesses: Cyra Solar LLC, Beck N’ Call Landscape, LLC, and Value in People Consulting, LLC. Ms. Beck admitted that these entities were not eligible for CARES Act funding because Beck N’ Call Landscape and Cyra Solar were not active businesses as of February 2020, and because she submitted false and fraudulent payroll, revenue, and other information associated with the three purported businesses in order to fraudulently obtain CARES Act funding.

“Many small businesses struggled during the COVID-19 shutdowns and were eligible for pandemic relief funds to keep their doors open and to ensure that their employees could keep their jobs. Fraudulent schemes diverted critical money set aside to help those businesses and instead were used to enrich individuals such as Ms. Beck,” stated U.S. Attorney Waldref. “I’m grateful for the investigators and prosecutors of our COVID Fraud Strike Force. Their teamwork and focus on uncovering fraud strengthens our community and protects small and local businesses.”