KC Reporter

Eleven defendants from Missouri, Kansas, Texas, and Washington have been indicted for their roles in a conspiracy resulting in over $220,000 in fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans issued under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

The indictment alleges that each of the defendants participated in a conspiracy to submit false and fraudulent applications for PPP loans from February 2021 to July 2022. The scheme led to the issuance of more than $220,000 in fraudulent loans, most of which were forgiven despite not being used for the intended purposes.

According to the indictment, Daisha Sanders, one of the main accused, created and submitted PPP loan applications for herself and her co-conspirators in exchange for a payment from the loan proceeds. The applications contained false information, including fictitious bank records and inflated revenues of non-existent businesses.

"Daisha Sanders created PPP loan applications for herself and for each of the co-conspirators in exchange for a payment from the loan proceeds," the indictment stated.

After the loans were funded, the co-conspirators allegedly paid Sanders up to $5,000 for preparing and submitting the false applications. Each defendant applied for a PPP loan worth approximately $20,833.

The charges include wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud, aiding and abetting wire fraud, and money laundering. Daisha Sanders faces additional charges and a forfeiture allegation requiring her to forfeit any proceeds derived from the alleged offenses.

"These charges are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt," the indictment clarified.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul S. Becker and was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.