A Florida attorney has been handed a hefty prison sentence for her role in a COVID-19 fraud scheme. Shaquandra Woods, 41, of Jacksonville was sentenced to over six years behind bars after being convicted for Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney's office.
During a trial that spanned four days, the jury heard how Woods, a licensed attorney in both Florida and Georgia, submitted a series of fraudulent applications to the Small Business Administration's Economic Injury Disaster Loans program, a relief effort set under the CARES Act. The court learned that she fabricated documents to support at least nine applications, netting herself over $300,000 in the process. U.S. District Court Judge R. Stan Baker handed down the sentence that includes an order for Woods to pay $42,848 in restitution and serve three years of supervised release after her prison term with no chance for parole in the federal system.
U.S. Attorney Jill E. Steinberg remarked on the conviction, "Shaquandra Woods prolifically filed fraudulent applications for COVID-19 pandemic relief funds for herself and for others." She emphasized the commitment of her office, along with law enforcement partners, to prosecute those who engage in such egregious acts at taxpayer's expense.
Commenting on the sentence, FBI's Supervisory Senior Resident Agent Will Clarke stated, "Woods will now pay the price for stealing pandemic relief funds that others needed to keep a business open or to keep a roof over their heads." He reiterated the federal government's dedication to protecting the integrity of aid programs and to pursue those who exploit them. Amaleka McCall-Braithwaite, Special Agent in Charge of the Eastern Region of the SBA Office of Inspector General, echoed this sentiment, reassuring that such acts of fraud would meet with resolute pursuit of justice on behalf of American taxpayers.
The case was a collaborative effort involving meticulous investigation by the FBI and the SBA Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan C. Grover and Former Senior Litigation Counsel Jenna G. Solari represented the United States in the prosecution of Woods. The Department of Justice continues to encourage public vigilance against fraud relating to disaster funds and requests that any suspicions or knowledge of attempted fraud be reported to the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline.
