KC Reporter

A federal grand jury in Kansas City, Missouri, has indicted a North Carolina woman for allegedly fraudulently obtaining a $20,000 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan. The indictment charges Lakeysha Day, 43, with one count of wire fraud. At the time of the alleged offense, Day was employed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and worked at the V.A. Medical Center in Columbia, Missouri.

The indictment states that on March 20, 2021, Day applied for a PPP loan under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. This act created several temporary programs to address economic challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Among these was the PPP, which provided forgivable loans to small businesses to help retain workers and cover expenses such as payroll and utilities.

Day claimed she was a sole proprietor with an average monthly payroll of $8,000. Her application included documents showing gross receipts or sales of $114,210 and business expenses of $14,685 resulting in a profit of $99,525. However, her 2019 personal income tax return did not reflect this reported income and expenses.

The indictment includes a forfeiture allegation requiring Day to forfeit any property derived from the alleged fraud scheme if convicted. This would include a money judgment amounting to $20,000.

It is important to note that "the charge contained in this indictment is simply an accusation," and evidence must be presented to a federal trial jury tasked with determining guilt or innocence.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul S. Becker is prosecuting this case following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General.