WV COVID Scam: MD & NY Women Face 20 Years

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – The grift extended even to pandemic relief. Two women, motivated by cold, hard cash, have confessed to a scheme to steal COVID-19 relief money intended to help struggling West Virginians. Kimberly VanKline, 56, of Hyattsville, Maryland, and Rhonda Brown-Moore, 65, of Brooklyn, New York, both pled guilty today to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, a federal charge carrying a hefty potential sentence.

Court documents reveal a calculated operation. VanKline and Brown-Moore weren’t looking to help anyone; they were looking to line their own pockets. They allegedly worked in concert to fabricate documents and submit them in applications for CARES Act Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. Their target? Individuals, including a resident of the Northern District of West Virginia, who were fraudulently used to obtain the funds.

The details are sickeningly familiar: a system designed to provide a lifeline during a national crisis exploited for personal gain. VanKline and Brown-Moore didn’t just submit the false applications – they were compensated from the stolen proceeds. Each fraudulent loan approved meant more money in their pockets, fueled by the desperation of a nation reeling from the pandemic. The FBI investigation uncovered the scheme, bringing the pair to justice.

Federal prosecutors, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer Conklin and Kimberley Crockett, built a solid case against the duo. They presented evidence demonstrating the deliberate and coordinated effort to defraud the system. Now, VanKline and Brown-Moore are facing the consequences of their greed. The pair could receive up to 20 years in federal prison.

The sentencing isn’t a foregone conclusion. U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble will weigh the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors before handing down a final judgment. But one thing is clear: attempting to profit from a public health crisis is a serious crime, and the Department of Justice is determined to hold those responsible accountable. This case serves as a stark reminder that even amidst chaos, the law will pursue those who exploit vulnerability for personal enrichment.

Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as sentencing approaches. The full extent of the fraud and any additional co-conspirators remain under investigation. This isn’t just about stolen money; it’s about broken trust and the erosion of a system meant to protect those in need. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.