Ryan K. Buchanan U.S. Attorney | US Attorney's office Northern District of Georgia
Calah Williams, a resident of Port St. Lucie, Florida, has been sentenced to three years in prison for fraudulently obtaining funds through pandemic-related assistance programs. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Leigh Martin May and includes an additional three years of supervised release along with restitution payments totaling $1,026,241.
U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan stated, "Williams stole from programs designed to help the public during a global crisis and now she will face the consequences." The case highlights the ongoing efforts of the U.S. Attorney's Office to prosecute those who exploit relief programs established under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Special Agent in Charge Scott Moffit emphasized the collaborative effort between various agencies in investigating these crimes: “The investigative efforts of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration and its partners, combined with the prosecutorial efforts of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, demonstrate their commitment to pursuing, capturing, and prosecuting those who try to defraud the American people.”
Williams was found guilty after submitting numerous fraudulent applications for Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL), Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), and unemployment insurance benefits across multiple government platforms. Her schemes involved falsifying income details, employee numbers, and using stolen personal information.
The investigation revealed that Williams filed 42 EIDL applications, 16 PPP applications, and 177 fraudulent unemployment insurance claims seeking over $4 million in total funds. While much of her activity was intercepted early on, she successfully acquired approximately $1 million before being apprehended.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Samir Kaushal prosecuted the case following an investigation led by the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.
This prosecution aligns with broader initiatives spearheaded by the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force established on May 17, 2021. The task force aims to enhance collaboration among governmental bodies to detect and prevent fraudulent activities related to pandemic relief measures.
Individuals with information about potential COVID-19 related fraud are encouraged to report it through official channels provided by the Department of Justice.
