Two Individuals Charged with Fraudulently Acquiring COVID-19 Relief Funds.
Kimberly VanKline, 56, from Hyattsville, Maryland, and Rhonda Brown-Moore, 64, from Brooklyn, New York, have been indicted on charges of wire fraud and conspiracy for illegally obtaining funds under the COVID Relief Act., according to U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld.
The indictment claims that the defendants worked together to submit false documentation to secure CARES Act Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, including on behalf of a resident in West Virginia.
They were compensated for their role in the scheme using the illicitly obtained funds.
Details of the Charges and Potential Penalties
The indictment accuses VanKline and Brown-Moore of conspiring to commit wire fraud by misrepresenting financial details to obtain PPP loans intended to support businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
If convicted, the defendants could face up to 20 years in federal prison for each of the three felony charges they face. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge, taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld warned that more charges related to COVID-19 fraud are expected in the coming months, as investigations continue. “Our team continues to investigate COVID fraud and there will be more criminal charges, as well as civil enforcement actions, in the months ahead. We will seek prison sentences for those who stole from the taxpayers, as well as repayment of the money stolen, plus penalties and interest.”
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Conklin, with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) leading the investigation into the fraudulent activities.
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