Trio Charged with Stealing $2 Million from COVID-19 Relief Programs

Strategic Insights -

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, relief programs were established to support small businesses and the economy. Unfortunately, some individuals exploited these programs for personal gain, stealing from taxpayers and legitimate business owners who genuinely needed help. The United States Attorney's Office, in conjunction with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), has charged three individuals with federal fraud and money laundering charges for allegedly stealing nearly $2 million from pandemic relief programs.

Key Takeaways:

  • The defendants, Salimot Akande, Garey Henderson, and Jacqueline Rollizo, allegedly obtained approximately $1.6 million of fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP") loans for seven businesses associated with Akande, Henderson, and others.
  • The defendants submitted fabricated tax filings and loan applications containing false information to obtain the loans.
  • Akande and Henderson also allegedly obtained fraudulent Economic Injury Disaster Loans ("EIDLs") for their businesses, with Akande's business receiving a $48,900 EIDL loan and Henderson's two businesses receiving $299,800.
  • The indictment alleges that, after receiving the loan proceeds, Akande, Henderson, and Rollizo moved the funds through multiple bank accounts to conceal the true source and control of the money.
  • The 38-count indictment charges the defendants with bank fraud, wire fraud, bank and wire fraud conspiracy, concealment and transactional money laundering, and money laundering conspiracy.
  • The case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with Assistant United States Attorney Sarah E. Klapman prosecuting the case.

Statistics:

  • $1.6 million: The approximate amount of fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program loans obtained by the defendants.
  • $48,900: The amount of Economic Injury Disaster Loan received by Akande's business.
  • $299,800: The total amount of Economic Injury Disaster Loans received by Henderson's two businesses.
  • 38: The number of counts in the indictment against the defendants.
  • 7: The number of businesses associated with Akande, Henderson, and others that received fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program loans.

Sources:

  • US FBI ([www.fbi.gov](http://www.fbi.gov))
  • United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia ([www.justice.gov/usao-ndga](http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga))
  • Department of Justice ([www.justice.gov](http://www.justice.gov))
  • Homeland Security Investigations ([www.ice.gov/homeland-security-investigations](http://www.ice.gov/homeland-security-investigations))
  • National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline ([www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form](http://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form))