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Five Non-DOJ Individuals Indicted and Arrested for Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Wire Fraud in Connection with COVID-19 Fraud Scheme

Date

On January 25, 2023, five non-DOJ individuals were arrested following an Indictment charging them with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and 27 counts of wire fraud.  Johnderrious Lovett, Travon Duhart, Jeremy Russell, Sharmaine Simpson, and Mario Meadows were indicted in the Middle District of Georgia.  According to the Indictment, between in or about March 2020 and on or about March 27, 2022, Lovett, Duhart, Russell, Simpson, and Meadows orchestrated a scheme to fraudulently obtain approximately 25 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), designed to provide relief to small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.  As part of the scheme, they allegedly sought relief funds of more than $1,000,000.  The investigation is being conducted by the OIG’s Fraud Detection Office, on behalf of the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee, with operational assistance provided by the FBI.

Case Action
Indictment/Charge/Arrest