Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr., U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan | Department of Justice
Catherine Spidell-Ferguson pleaded guilty on Apr. 24 to participating in a $1.2 million Paycheck Protection Program fraud conspiracy, according to an announcement by United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. Her husband, D’Angelo Ferguson, had previously pleaded guilty in January for his role in the same scheme.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about abuse of federal relief programs designed to help businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to plea documents, D’Angelo Ferguson admitted he was involved in submitting three separate PPP loan applications that included false information and fictitious supporting documents. The applications falsely claimed certain monthly incomes and payroll expenses for companies that did not have such employees or expenses. Catherine Spidell-Ferguson admitted her involvement in one of these fraudulent applications. In total, the couple obtained approximately $1.2 million through this scheme.
“Fraud is a plague on our Nation. It takes many forms—and all of them weaken our economy and steal from the American taxpayer. Name a program, and someone is trying to scam it. It is time to make the scammers pay,” said Gorgon.
Both defendants face possible maximum sentences of up to 30 years’ imprisonment without parole, fines up to $1 million, and up to five years of supervised release after any prison term. Sentencing will take place before United States District Judge Laurie J. Michelson following completion of presentence reports.
The Department of Justice has established the National Fraud Enforcement Division with a mission focused on investigating and prosecuting those who misuse taxpayer funds through fraudulent means. These efforts support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud—a government-wide initiative chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance aimed at reducing fraud within federal benefit programs.
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations under the Department of Homeland Security, with prosecution led by Assistant United States Attorney Jason Dorval Norwood.
