Related Federal Cases
- Daniqua Clark, Mail Stream Theft and COVID-19 Relief Fraud, Atlanta… · Alabama
- Unbanked, Inc. Ordered to Halt Crypto Scam, Washington D.C., 2023 · Georgia
- Jatin Patel and Donna Evans Moore, Stolen Treasury Checks Scam, Tif… · Alabama
- Tracy Mitchell, Identity Theft, Montgomery AL, 2013 · Alabama
- Vivek Ramaswamy Rejects VP Offer, Focusing on Presidential Ambition… · Georgia
Tracy Kirkland Sentenced for COVID-19 Relief Program Scam
STATESBORO, GA: Tracy Kirkland, a 41-year-old woman from Swainsboro, has been sentenced to 33 months in prison for defrauding the COVID-19 small business relief program.
Kirkland, who was on state probation at the time of the crime, received a federally guaranteed loan of $66,400 under the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program in August 2020.
However, instead of using the funds for her fictitious business, ‘Kirklands Hair N Beauty,’ Kirkland used the money to purchase a 2019 Dodge Charger R/T, make large cash withdrawals from her bank account, and make other non-business-related purchases.
Acting U.S. Attorney David H. Estes stated that Kirkland has a ‘disturbing history of two decades as a petty thief’ and was ‘once again being held accountable for her criminal activity.’
Kirkland was ordered to pay restitution of $66,400, forfeit a 2019 Dodge Charger and $16,250, and serve three years of supervised release after completion of her prison sentence.
The U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General investigated the case with assistance from the Swainsboro Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Ammunition, with prosecution for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Steven H. Lee and Asset Recovery Unit Chief Xavier A. Cunningham.
‘Lying to gain access to economic stimulus funds will be met with justice,’ said SBA OIG’s Eastern Region Special Agent in Charge Amaleka McCall-Brathwaite. ‘Greed has no place in SBA’s programs that are intended to provide assistance to the nation’s small businesses struggling with the pandemic challenges.’
Kirkland’s sentence is a stark reminder that those who seek to take advantage of government programs will be held accountable for their actions.
Key Facts
- State: Georgia
- Category: White Collar Crime|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News