SOUTH BEND, IN – Tonya R. Winston, 59, of South Bend, Indiana, is facing serious time after a federal jury convicted her of systematically ripping off the Paycheck Protection Program. The three-day trial, overseen by United States District Court Judge Cristal C. Brisco, culminated in a guilty verdict on all five counts of the Superseding Indictment, a clear signal the jury saw through her scheme.
Winston isn’t just accused of helping herself; she built a network of fraud. The charges include one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, three counts of wire fraud, and one count of theft of government money. Prosecutors laid out evidence showing Winston devised a plan to fraudulently obtain loans intended for struggling small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. She allegedly submitted bogus applications for multiple loans for herself and actively assisted others in doing the same.
The Paycheck Protection Program was a lifeline thrown to businesses reeling from the pandemic’s economic impact. But Winston, according to the DOJ, saw it as a personal piggy bank. The extent of the financial damage is still being tallied, but the implications are clear: her actions directly undermined a program designed to keep businesses afloat and people employed. This wasn’t a victimless crime.
Acting United States Attorney M. Scott Proctor didn’t mince words after the verdict. “Tonya Winston defrauded that program, and the American taxpayers who funded it,” he stated. “Today, a jury of her peers found her guilty of committing those crimes.” Proctor was quick to credit the team effort, thanking federal agents, prosecutors, and support staff for their “exceptional work” in bringing Winston to justice.
The investigation was a joint effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General, and the Internal Revenue Service – a clear indication of the seriousness with which federal authorities are treating PPP fraud. Assistant United States Attorneys Luke N. Reilander and Joel Gabrielse spearheaded the prosecution, presenting a case that clearly resonated with the jury.
Winston is scheduled to be sentenced on November 25, 2025. While the exact penalty remains to be determined by Judge Brisco, it will be based on federal statutes and the United States Sentencing Guidelines. One thing is certain: Tonya Winston will soon learn that defrauding the federal government carries a steep price. This conviction serves as a warning to others considering similar schemes – the feds are watching, and they’re ready to prosecute.
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Key Facts
- State: Indiana
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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