Kevin P. Davidson, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama
A federal judge has sentenced Michelle Denise McIntyre, a 34-year-old resident of Tallassee, Alabama, to 114 months in prison for wire fraud and money laundering. The charges stem from her misuse of funds from the Restaurant Revitalization Fund program. This sentencing was announced by Acting United States Attorney Kevin Davidson.
The Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) was a program established under the American Rescue Plan Act in March 2021 to compensate restaurants for pandemic-related revenue losses. The Small Business Administration (SBA) administered the program. McIntyre pleaded guilty to deceitfully claiming grants by falsely stating she had operated a catering business since December 2019. Her fraudulent claims initially led to an award of $131,478.76, which she used for personal expenditure, including buying a vehicle, rather than on eligible business expenses.
Further investigations revealed McIntyre also applied for Paycheck Protection Program Loans, Economic Injury Disaster Loans and Advances, and more RRF funding. She collected up-front fees for filing these applications on behalf of others, whether they were eligible or not. These fraudulent activities cost the SBA over $700,000, with potential losses surpassing $14 million if all her false applications had been approved.
Davidson emphasized, “Fraud committed against federal programs is fraud against the American taxpayer.” He commended the investigative agencies for their efforts and reiterated the commitment to prosecuting fraudsters. Amaleka McCall-Brathwaite, Special Agent in Charge of the SBA OIG’s Eastern Region, described exploiting relief programs for personal gain as a serious offense. IRS Criminal Investigation’s Demetrius Hardeman stated that individuals defrauding CARES Act programs are still being held accountable.
The investigation involved the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General, the IRS-Criminal Investigation, and the FBI Mobile Field Office, with Assistant United States Attorney Megan A. Kirkpatrick leading the prosecution.
