A Raceland woman, identified as 40-year-old Cherikah Roberson, faces serious charges for her role in a $1.5 million fraud scheme, this according to a statement made by Acting United States Attorney Michael M. Simpson earlier today.
Roberson was indicted on multiple charges, including Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Theft of Government Funds. The indictment stems from a scheme that began in February 2021, in which she allegedly created over 60 fraudulent PPP loan applications. She reportedly recruited friends, family, and acquaintances through social media to participate in the scam. An investigation by the Department of Labor and the Department of Veteran Affairs uncovered a complex network of fabricated invoices and tax documents used to support the fraudulent claims.
In a seemingly extensive and complex fraud scheme, Roberson allegedly persuaded her network to submit false unemployment insurance claims across several states and even staged damage to a mobile home to file a FEMA claim. The Justice Department's COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force investigated the case, uncovering numerous fabricated financial documents and channels for illegal funds.
The indictment details a case in which Roberson submitted a forged 2020 bank statement and falsely claimed nearly $250,000 in income for 2019, resulting in her illegally receiving an SBA-backed PPP loan of about $20,833. The deception continued with inflated unemployment benefit claims in Kentucky and a fraudulent FEMA aid request after Hurricane Ida, despite the property having been demolished months earlier. Through these actions, she unlawfully obtained $47,492.77 in disaster assistance funds. The U.S. Attorney's Office has published information outlining Roberson’s actions and the financial impact of the scheme.
Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson emphasized that the indictment is merely an accusation and that Roberson’s guilt must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt in court. Anyone with information about potential fraud related to COVID-19 relief efforts is encouraged to report it through the Department of Justice's National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline or their online complaint form.
