Texas Woman Sentenced for Quarter Million Dollar COVID Fraud

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Texas woman was sentenced in federal court today for her leadership role in a case that resulted in more than $250,000 in fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans being issued under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Daisha Sanders, formerly from Kansas City, Mo., 34, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Beth Phillips to 18 months imprisonment based upon her conspiracy to commit wire fraud relating to a scheme to fraudulently obtain Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP) loans, guaranteed by the SBA under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).

Sanders conspired with others to prepare and file fraudulent PPP loan applications on their behalf.  Sanders received kickbacks of $5,000 for each of the $20,832 PPP loans. Sanders filed false PPP loan applications for numerous persons resulting in a loss of approximately $270,820,33, which she was ordered to pay back in a restitution judgment.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul S. Becker. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation and the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department.