Olivia Ware, 61, unsuccessfully ran for mayor of Conyers, Georgia, four years ago and has now taken another “L” after being charged with stealing money from the federal paycheck protection program (PPP) to pay off her house and buy an inground pool.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s office, the former candidate who lives in Oxford, Georgia, was arraigned on federal bank fraud and money laundering charges, CBS 46 reported.
The AG’s office said Ware was the Chief Executive Officer of Let’s Talk About the Family, Inc., a Georgia company. However, the company did not pay wages to any employees.
Ware is accused of submitting a false application to a bank to geta PPP loan for her company. She also submitted fake tax returns that reported the company had 54 employees who were paid hundreds of thousands of dollars in salary.
Ware was given $323,000 in PPP money, which she chose to spend on an in-ground swimming pool, furniture, and other home upgrades. She also used the money to pay down the principal on her mortgage.
“Authorities continue to examine Paycheck Protection Program loans for acts of fraud, as the charges against Ware demonstrate,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “Those who would consider stealing from the Paycheck Protection Program should think twice.”
