U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe | U.S. Department of Justice
Cassandra Yolanda Clarke, a 45-year-old resident of Miramar, Florida, appeared before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in Fort Lauderdale facing charges related to COVID-19 relief fraud. Clarke is accused of submitting fraudulent applications for loans and grants under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) on behalf of Narotique Med Spa LLC and Narotique Beauty Bar Inc.
The indictment alleges that Clarke created and submitted false IRS tax forms to obtain approximately $851,894 in COVID-19 relief funds. The funds were reportedly used to lease a Bentley Bentayga and make luxury purchases at Bal Harbour Shops.
Clarke faces three counts each of wire fraud and money laundering. If convicted, she could face up to 10 years in prison for money laundering and 20 years for wire fraud. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI's Miami Field Office. The case was investigated by the FBI Miami’s Palm Beach Resident Agency, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Bailyn prosecuting.
"An indictment is merely an allegation," officials noted, emphasizing that "all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law."
In response to pandemic-related fraud, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force on May 17, 2021. This task force aims to combat fraud through enhanced coordination among government agencies and law enforcement.
On September 15, 2022, the Southern District of Florida’s U.S. Attorney’s Office was chosen to lead one of three national COVID-19 Fraud Strike Force Teams. These teams focus on large-scale pandemic relief fraud cases involving criminal organizations and transnational actors.
Individuals with information about potential COVID-19 fraud can report it via the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline or through their online complaint form.
Court documents related to this case can be accessed on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida under case number 24-cr-60227.
