MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Maryland woman and a New York woman have been hit with federal charges for their alleged role in a scheme to defraud COVID-19 relief funds.
Kimberly VanKline, 56, from Hyattsville, Maryland, and Rhonda Brown-Moore, 65, of Brooklyn, New York, have both admitted to conspiring to commit wire fraud. The duo is accused of improperly obtaining funds from the CARES Act Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) on behalf of a West Virginia resident.
According to court documents, VanKline and Brown-Moore worked in cahoots to create and submit falsified documents to secure PPP loans. Their illegal activities were financially rewarding, with both women receiving compensation from the fraudulent proceeds.
Their greed has landed them in serious legal trouble, as they now face up to 20 years in federal prison. The sentence will be determined by a federal district court judge, who will consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other relevant factors before imposing punishment.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer Conklin and Kimberley Crockett have been leading the charge against these women on behalf of the government, while the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) conducted the investigation that led to their arrests.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided over the arraignment, marking another victory in the ongoing battle against financial fraud during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Key Facts
- State: West Virginia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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