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Press Release

Maryland Resident Pleads Guilty to Preparing and Submitting Fraudulent Applications for Cares Act Financial Assistance

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Louisiana

NEW ORLEANS –  U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that SHANIQUA PAGE WILSON, age 32, a resident of Odenton, Maryland, pleaded guilty  today before United States District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 371 and 1343.  The charges stem from WILSON’S role in preparing and filing false applications for loans related to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). 

According to court documents, between about April 19, 2021, and May 20, 2021, WILSON and (Co-Conspirator 1) recruited friends and family members, primarily via word of mouth and text message, to participate in a scheme whereby they would fraudulently obtain money from Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans with her assistance.  WILSON and Co-Conspirator 1 then created and electronically submitted, loan applications.  These loan applications falsely stated that the recruited applicant had a sole proprietorship in the beauty industry and generated substantial income from those businesses.  Co-Conspirator 1 charged some applicants up to approximately $5,000.00 once the PPP loan was funded. 

Between about May 4, 2021, and May 5, 2021, WILSON and Co-Conspirator 1 prepared and submitted approximately five (5) fraudulent PPP loan applications, including for themselves and their relatives, that resulted in a loss to the United States Small Business Administration and other designated financial institutions of approximately $104,160.

WILSON faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five (5) years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, up to a $250,000 fine, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.  Sentencing before Judge Milazzo is scheduled for January 24, 2024.

For more information on the Department of Justice’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.  Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Secret Service in investigating this matter.  Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Ginsberg, Chief of the Public Integrity Unit, is in charge of the prosecution.

Contact

Shane M. Jones

Public Information Officer

United States Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Louisiana

United States Department of Justice

Updated October 26, 2023
Topics
Coronavirus
Financial Fraud
Component
USAO - Louisiana, Eastern

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