KC Reporter

A former resident of Blue Springs, Missouri, Daisha Sanders, has pleaded guilty in federal court for her involvement in a conspiracy to fraudulently obtain over $220,000 in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. The loans were part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Sanders, 33, now living in Royse City, Texas, admitted guilt before U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Her plea acknowledged participation in submitting false PPP loan applications from February 2021 to July 2022. These fraudulent applications led to more than $220,000 being issued to borrowers who were not eligible for the loans.

According to the plea agreement, Sanders created PPP loan applications for herself and her co-conspirators in exchange for payments from the loan proceeds. The applications falsely claimed either the existence of sole proprietorships before the pandemic or exaggerated revenue figures for existing businesses from 2019. To support these claims, Sanders fabricated bank records and IRS forms among other financial documents.

She prepared 14 successful false PPP loan applications and numerous others that were rejected. For her services in filing these fraudulent claims, she charged fees ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 and earned at least $40,832 from the scheme. As part of her plea deal, Sanders is required to forfeit this amount and pay restitution to the Small Business Administration as determined by the court.

Sanders is one of eight defendants who have pleaded guilty in this case. Each defendant admitted applying for a PPP loan totaling approximately $20,833.

Under federal law, Sanders faces a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison without parole. However, her actual sentence will be decided by the court based on advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors after a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul S. Becker following an investigation conducted by IRS-Criminal Investigation and the Kansas City Police Department.