A Texas woman has reportedly been accused of fraud charges related to Cisco Systems Inc. and the U.S. government's Payroll Protection Program, a Feb. 10 U.S. Department of Justice news release said.
Takandryia Latrice Cage, 35, of Grand Prairie, faces one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud for allegedly conspiring with Jerel Andre Williams, who has been charged separately, to obtain serial numbers to Cisco computer equipment, then allegedly submitted false warranty claims, the news release said.
"The conspirators successfully obtained 157 warranty replacement products from Cisco, each with a retail value of between $3,693 and $34,500, which they had shipped to addresses throughout the United States," the news release reported.
Cage was also reportedly charged with one count of bank fraud and three counts of wire fraud in relation with schemes to allegedly defraud lenders by submitting false Payroll Protection Program applications.
"As a result of these six false PPP loan applications, Cage caused lenders to send her more than $101,000 in PPP funds, which she then spent on unauthorized purchases for herself," the news release said.
If convicted of the charges, she faces a maximum sentence of 110 years in prison, a five-year period of supervised release, a $2 million fine and a $500 special assessment, the news release said.
“Warranty fraud is not a victimless crime, rather, companies which support employment for thousands of workers stand to lose significant sums, as the charges demonstrate here," U.S. Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams said in the statement. "The defendant also allegedly scammed the U.S. government by defrauding the Paycheck Protection Program, which is intended to help American businesses continue paying their employees in the face of the pandemic. Thieves who defraud these programs are taking advantage of honest business and taxpayers alike.”
