Mount Vernon Mother-Daughter Duo Sentenced in COVID-19 Relief Scam

A former civilian employee of the local Police Department in Mount Vernon, New York, and her daughter have been sentenced for their involvement in a fraudulent scheme targeting COVID-19 relief funds. The U.S. District Judge Nelson Roman handed down prison sentences Friday to Andrea Ayers, 57, and her daughter, Alicia Ayers, 37, rejecting their requests for leniency.

Andrea Ayers, formerly the head of the city’s CSEA union and a long-time city employee, received a 3 1/2-year prison sentence. Her daughter, Alicia, a financial adviser and accountant, was sentenced to two years in prison, followed by six months of home confinement.

The duo was implicated in a scheme that defrauded the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) out of nearly $1.7 million through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program. They submitted hundreds of fraudulent applications on behalf of acquaintances, falsely claiming these individuals owned qualifying businesses with at least 10 employees. In reality, most of these businesses did not exist.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams stated, “These defendants stole from a taxpayer-funded program intended to help small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.” He emphasized the commitment of his office to prosecuting those who exploit government programs during national emergencies.

The Ayerses were arrested in March 2021 and later pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. They successfully facilitated over 165 fraudulent applications, directing a portion of the funds to themselves as kickbacks, amounting to approximately $500,000.

As part of their plea agreement, both agreed to forfeit $1.69 million and were ordered to pay the same amount in restitution to the SBA. They have until August 2 to report to prison.