AUGUSTA, GA – Whitney Adwan Mack, 34, of Louisville, Georgia, is trading her freedom for four years in federal prison after admitting she swindled the COVID-19 relief program. The Jefferson County woman was sentenced Friday for one count of Wire Fraud, a brazen attempt to profit from a national crisis.
U.S. Attorney David H. Estes announced that Judge Dudley H. Bowen handed down the 48-month sentence, along with a $5,000 fine and three years of supervised release following her incarceration. There’s no chance for parole in the federal system, meaning Mack will serve the full term. The case highlights the relentless pursuit of those who exploited pandemic relief funds.
Court documents reveal Mack secured a $150,000 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) in July 2020 through a web of lies. She fabricated the number of employees and revenue of her company, and, adding insult to injury, used a stolen Social Security number to apply. Once the funds landed in her account, Mack didn’t invest in her business; she allegedly withdrew a large portion in cash and blew it on a lavish vacation to Miami.
“The substantial appropriations for businesses suffering from the COVID-19 pandemic assisted tremendous numbers of people in need of extra help for their small business,” Estes stated. “Unfortunately, the lure of money also attracted con artists who attempted to enrich themselves by defrauding taxpayers during a national emergency, and they are being held accountable.” The U.S. Attorney’s office is clearly signaling a zero-tolerance policy for pandemic fraud.
The investigation was a collaborative effort spearheaded by the U.S. Secret Service, the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, and the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General. Steven Baisel, Special Agent in Charge of the Secret Service, emphasized the agency’s commitment to pursuing those who steal funds intended for legitimate relief. Gail S. Ennis, Inspector General for the Social Security Administration, added that Mack’s actions compromised the integrity of the Social Security system itself.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick J. Schwedler and Jonathan A. Porter prosecuted the case, building a solid case based on evidence gathered by the investigative teams. This sentencing serves as a stark warning: attempting to game the system during a crisis will result in serious consequences. The feds are watching, and they’re closing in on those who thought they could get away with it.
Related Federal Cases
- Daniqua Clark, Mail Stream Theft and COVID-19 Relief Fraud, Atlanta… · Georgia
- Angela Miller and Lee Lynwood, Tax Return Fraud, Georgia, 2008 · Georgia
- Four Individuals Face Federal Oxycodone Fraud Charges, Georgia, 2023 · Georgia
- Eijroghene Okuma, $10M Investment Fraud, Atlanta GA, 2023 · Georgia
- Sark Wire Corporation, PPP Fraud, Albany NY, 2023 · Pennsylvania
Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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