Ten individuals have been charged in a federal case involving an alleged fraud and money laundering scheme targeting government loan programs provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration, including the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Two of those charged also face allegations related to laundering proceeds from a fraudulent unemployment insurance scheme.
“Fraud schemes, like the ones perpetrated by these defendants, stole valuable resources meant to assist small businesses and citizens during difficult times,” said United States Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to prosecuting and punishing cold-hearted criminals who target government aid programs for their personal gain.”
“PPP loans were intended to provide critical relief to small businesses,” said FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown. “FBI Atlanta and our law enforcement partners will continue to aggressively pursue anyone who exploited the pandemic as a means to enrich themselves.”
“An important mission of the Office of Inspector General is to investigate allegations of unemployment insurance fraud targeting state workforce agencies. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate these types of allegations,” stated Mathew Broadhurst, Special Agent-in-Charge, Southeast Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General.
According to court documents, between November 2020 and June 2023, David Nathaniel Black, Jr., along with others, allegedly used real company information without authorization to submit false EIDL and PPP applications. The filings reportedly contained inaccurate details about business operations such as employee counts, payroll needs, revenue figures, and intended use of funds. Supporting documentation was also falsified—including tax records and bank statements—and stolen identification data from company owners or officers was used without their knowledge.
Authorities allege that over $9 million in fraudulent loans were obtained through these actions. Once funds were secured, defendants are accused of making cash withdrawals and transferring money for personal use. Specific purchases attributed to Black include a 2022 Bentley Bentayga ($200,000), a 2020 McLaren 720S convertible ($350,000), a down payment on a 2023 Mercedes Benz G-Class Wagon ($142,680), and annual rent for a luxury home ($180,645).
David Nathaniel Black, Jr., 31, of Newnan, Georgia faces 17 counts each of wire fraud (maximum sentence: 20 years per count) and aggravated identity theft (mandatory consecutive two-year term per count), along with over 100 counts of money laundering (maximum sentence: 10 years per count).
The following individuals have also been charged with multiple counts of money laundering:
- Rashad Avery, 36; Tara Batson, 31; Reginald Douglas, 32; Rise Robinson, 36; George Thompson, 33—all from Atlanta
- Chris Elvins Constant, 25 (Ft. Pierce)
- Nicole Cooley, 35 (Baltimore)
- Yvenord Guerilus, 24; Carson Merice, 25—both from Miami
Black and Constant additionally face charges for conspiracy to launder proceeds from an alleged unemployment insurance scam—a charge that carries up to a twenty-year prison term.
Officials remind the public that indictments contain only charges at this stage; all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General are leading the investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Kelly K. Connors and Sarah E. Klapman are prosecuting the case.
Nine defendants appeared in federal court this week after being arrested. Authorities ask anyone with information on Rise Robinson’s whereabouts or other relevant details to contact the FBI at tips.fbi.gov or call 800-CALL-FBI.
In May 2021,the Department of Justice established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force as part of efforts across agencies to address pandemic-related fraud by investigating actors suspected in such schemes.
Those with information about attempted COVID-19-related fraud can report it via the National Center for Disaster Fraud Web Complaint Form or call the NCDF Hotline at 866-720-5721.
For further inquiries regarding this case or related matters involving the Northern District of Georgia’s U.S. Attorney’s Office visit http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga or contact their Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov / (404) 581-6185.
