Spokane, Washington – A brazen scheme to obtain COVID-19 relief funding has been uncovered, involving two former Airmen from the United States Air Force.
Taylor Jashaun Kendall, 26, of Spokane, Washington, and Michael Tyriq Allen, 26, of Gainesville, Georgia, have been indicted on a dozen counts of fraud as part of the scheme to obtain $300,000 in COVID-19 relief funds through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) programs.
The CARES Act, signed into law by the President on March 27, 2020, provided programs for eligible small businesses to request and obtain relief funding to mitigate the economic impacts of the pandemic.
Between June 2020 and May 2021, Kendall and Allen submitted multiple applications for EIDL and PPP loans, using false and fraudulent information. Two of the three EIDL applications were approved, and the duo allegedly received $20,000 in EIDL funds.
They also submitted two separate applications for PPP loans in March 2021 and a Second Draw PPP application in April 2021, which were all approved, resulting in the disbursement of more than $61,000 in PPP funds.
The indictment further alleges that Kendall and Allen submitted fraudulent applications on behalf of other individuals, using false information, and received a portion of the funds back.
According to the indictment, Kendall and Allen submitted fraudulent applications resulting in the disbursement of at least $80,000 in EIDL advances and $269,900 in PPP loan funds.
Three other former Airmen have entered into criminal diversion agreements with the United States in relation to their participation in the scheme.
"COVID-19 relief programs were designed to lift up our community during crisis," said U.S. Attorney Vanessa R. Waldref. "Due to the number of people and businesses that requested funding, some deserving small businesses did not receive critical funding to keep their doors open through the pandemic, which impacted their employees, their families, and our local economy."
The fraud charges against Kendall and Allen carry a maximum sentence of up to 30 years in federal prison.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington.
Key Facts
- State: Washington
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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