A federal indictment accuses a Houston business owner named LaDonna of using pandemic relief money on personal luxuries, according to ABC13 and court documents.
Prosecutors say the 37 year old was charged with bank fraud, making a false statement to a bank, and money laundering. The case centers on money from the federal CARES Act Paycheck Protection Program, which was created to help businesses stay afloat during the pandemic.
According to court documents cited by ABC13, prosecutors allege that nearly $725,000 went toward two homes in the Katy and Cypress areas, about $78,000 toward a 2020 Land Rover, $63,000 at Chanel, $46,000 at Neiman Marcus and $14,000 at Apple. ABC13 reporter Mayra Moreno also reported that the filings point to a pool build and more than $36,000 in Amazon purchases.
She appeared before a U.S. magistrate judge last Tuesday. If convicted, she faces up to 30 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $1 million.
Her attorney says she is innocent. In a statement released Wednesday, the defense said it was disappointed that the government moved ahead with charges after repeated requests to sit down and talk, and that she denies the allegations in the nine count indictment.
An indictment is an accusation, not a conviction. Baller Alert will leave the rest to the courts.
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