COVID-19 Relief Funds Scam: Two Georgians Charged with Wire Fraud and Conspiracy

Strategic Insights -

Earlisha Louis and Somoza Louis, a married couple from Newnan, Georgia, have been indicted and arrested by the United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe for their alleged roles in a COVID-19 relief funds scam. The indictment charges them with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and four counts of wire fraud related to Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan applications. If convicted, they face up to 30 years in federal prison on each count. The indictment also notifies the pair that the United States intends to forfeit a residence and $1,705,553.80, which are alleged to be traceable to the proceeds of the offense.

The indictment alleges that between April 2020 and June 2021, the couple devised a scheme to defraud the Small Business Administration by submitting multiple false and fraudulent EIDL and PPP loan applications. After receiving one of the loans, Earlisha Louis transferred more than $10,000 of the fraud proceeds between her accounts. The case was investigated by the Small Business Administration -- Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Merrilyn E. Hoenemeyer.

Key Takeaways:

  • Earlisha and Somoza Louis, a married couple from Newnan, Georgia, have been indicted and arrested for their alleged roles in a COVID-19 relief funds scam.
  • The indictment charges them with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and four counts of wire fraud related to EIDL and PPP loan applications.
  • If convicted, they face up to 30 years in federal prison on each count.
  • The indictment also notifies the pair that the United States intends to forfeit a residence and $1,705,553.80, which are alleged to be traceable to the proceeds of the offense.
  • The scheme allegedly involved multiple false and fraudulent loan applications submitted to the Small Business Administration between April 2020 and June 2021.
  • Earlisha Louis transferred more than $10,000 of the fraud proceeds between her accounts.
  • The case was investigated by the Small Business Administration -- Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
  • It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Merrilyn E. Hoenemeyer.
  • The Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force on May 17, 2021, to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud.

Statistics:

  • $1,705,553.80: The amount of money allegedly traceable to the proceeds of the offense that the United States intends to forfeit.
  • $10,000: The amount of fraud proceeds transferred by Earlisha Louis between her accounts.
  • 30 years: The maximum prison sentence each count carries if convicted.
  • 3 years: The maximum prison sentence for each of the two counts of illegal monetary transactions.

Sources:

  • United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe press release
  • U.S. Department of Justice press release
  • Small Business Administration -- Office of Inspector General
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation
  • Assistant United States Attorney Merrilyn E. Hoenemeyer