A Kansas City woman has been sentenced for her involvement in a scheme to fraudulently obtain COVID-19 relief funds. Robin Brooks, 55, received a 15-month prison sentence from U.S. Chief District Judge Greg Kays and was ordered to repay $62,811.75 to the Small Business Administration (SBA) and Jackson County, Missouri.
The charges stem from Brooks’ actions related to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Enacted in March 2020, the CARES Act aimed to provide financial assistance during the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), part of this act, offered forgivable loans to small businesses through the SBA.
Brooks admitted guilt in submitting fraudulent loan applications in 2021 using non-existent businesses with no employees. Additionally, she submitted false invoices totaling approximately $30,345 to Jackson County for CARES Act funds under a non-profit organization she claimed provided food aid during the pandemic.
The SBA disbursed $32,466 based on these false claims while Jackson County issued payments amounting to $30,345. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Venneman is prosecuting the case following an investigation by the United States Secret Service.
