WEST VIRGINIA (LOOTPRESS) – Two individuals have been indicted for fraudulently securing COVID-19 relief funding, according to United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld.
Kimberly VanKline, 56, of Hyattsville, Maryland, and Rhonda Brown-Moore, 64, of Brooklyn, New York, face charges of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
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The charges stem from their alleged involvement in submitting falsified documents to obtain Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans under the CARES Act.
The indictment claims the defendants worked together to fraudulently secure funds on behalf of others, including a resident of the Northern District of West Virginia.
VanKline and Brown-Moore allegedly received compensation from the fraudulent loan proceeds.
“Our team continues to investigate COVID fraud and there will be more criminal charges, as well as civil enforcement actions, in the months ahead,” said U.S. Attorney Ihlenfeld.
“We will seek prison sentences for those who stole from the taxpayers, as well as repayment of the money stolen, plus penalties and interest.”
If convicted, VanKline and Brown-Moore face up to 20 years in federal prison for each of the three felony counts.
Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Conklin and investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office emphasized its commitment to addressing pandemic-related fraud.
Members of the public are encouraged to report suspected COVID fraud via email at wvfraud@fbi.gov, by calling 304-234-0100, or by sending mail to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, P.O. Box 591, Wheeling, WV 26003, Attn: COVID Fraud Unit.
