Charlotte Woman Pleads Guilty to $618,000 COVID-19 Loan Fraud Using Fake Tax Returns and Employment Data
Kimberly Ann Weatherell, 45, of Charlotte, North Carolina, also known as Kimblery Elamina Wu, pleaded guilty on October 29 in federal court to wire fraud and money laundering, U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson for the Western District of North Carolina announced.
According to plea documents and court filings, between April 2020 and June 2024 Weatherell obtained fraudulent COVID-19 relief loans for herself and her businesses, including South Charlotte Spa & Salon, Inc., Cool Cave Spa and Salon, Inc., Metro Proponent, Inc., William Z, Inc., and Ifeks Trading. She submitted false information about business income, fake employment data and fabricated tax returns, receiving more than $618,000 in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) funds.
"COVID-19 relief programs were meant to help businesses survive an unprecedented crisis, not to become a payday for scammers," Ferguson said. Donald "Trey" Eakins, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation's Charlotte Field Office, said the defendant obtained taxpayer-funded aid using false information, fabricated tax records and fictitious employment data.
Weatherell was released on bond. Wire fraud carries a maximum of 20 years in prison and money laundering a maximum of 10 years; a sentencing date has not been set. IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Caryn Finley is prosecuting.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：位于夏洛特的查尔斯·乔纳斯联邦大楼（联邦地区法院所在地）。公共领域，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / The Charles R. Jonas Federal Building in Charlotte. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
