A Laplace, Louisiana woman has been charged with making false statements to obtain pandemic relief funds under the CARES Act, according to an announcement by Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson.
Chelsey Powell, 34, was charged on December 5, 2025 by bill of information. Authorities allege that Powell made false statements to the Small Business Administration (SBA) in order to fraudulently secure a Paycheck Protection Program loan totaling about $19,950.
If convicted of making false statements to the SBA, Powell faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release. There is also a mandatory special assessment fee of $100 upon conviction.
Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson stated: "a bill of information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt."
The investigation involved both the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General and the United States Secret Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward J. Rivera from the Financial Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
Further details about how the Department of Justice is addressing pandemic-related crimes can be found at https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus. Reports about suspected COVID-19 fraud can be submitted via phone or through an online complaint form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
