Tami Chappell, CARES Act Fraud, False Statements, Theft, Louisiana 2024

New Orleans Woman Pleads Guilty to CARES Act Fraud, False Statements to IRS, and Theft of Government Funds

Tami Chappell, a 40-year-old resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, has pleaded guilty to three counts of making false statements, fraudulently obtaining pandemic-related relief loans, and theft of government funds. According to U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans, Chappell received approximately $105,625.00 in PPP funds, which she fraudulently obtained by making false statements to the Small Business Administration.

Chappell also stole at least $1,000.00 from the Social Security Administration by receiving disability benefits to which she was not entitled from 2019 to 2022. Additionally, she made false statements to the IRS by failing to report the correct amount of taxable income for the year 2020.

The CARES Act is a federal law enacted on March 29, 2020, to provide emergency financial assistance in connection with the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) allowed qualifying small businesses and other organizations to receive loans with a maturity of two years and an interest rate of 1%.

Chappell faces up to five years in prison, up to $250,000 in fines, and up to three years of supervised release for the false statements count. For the theft of government funds, she faces up to 10 years imprisonment, up to $250,000 in fines, and up to three years supervised release. For the false statement and theft from the IRS, she faces up to three years in prison, up to $250,000 in fines, and up to three years of supervised release.

Sentencing is scheduled for August 29, 2024. Chappell has been charged with making false statements to the Small Business Administration, making false statements to the IRS, and theft of government funds. The case was investigated by an agent assigned to the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee (PRAC) Fraud Task Force.

Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

Chappell, 40, of New Orleans, LA, pleaded guilty on May 23, 2024, before U.S. District Court Judge Carl J. Barbier to three-counts of making false statements related to the CARES Act, making false statements to the IRS, and theft of government funds.

This case highlights the importance of transparency and oversight in the federal government's COVID-19 pandemic response. The Pandemic Response Accountability Committee (PRAC) was established to serve the American public by promoting transparency and facilitating coordinated oversight of the federal government's COVID-19 pandemic response.

As a result of Chappell's guilty plea, she will face serious consequences, including up to 10 years imprisonment and up to $250,000 in fines. This case serves as a reminder of the importance of honesty and integrity in obtaining government assistance.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edla/pr/new-orleans-woman-pleads-guilty-cares-act-fraud-false-statements-irs-and-theft