Three Georgia Residents Arraigned in $2 Million COVID-19 Relief Fraud Scheme
ATLANTA, GA — Salimot Akande, 41, of Atlanta; Garey Henderson, 45, of Marietta; and Jacqueline Rollizo, 52, of Woodstock, were arraigned today on federal charges accusing them of defrauding COVID-19 relief programs and laundering nearly $2 million in proceeds.
According to court documents, the defendants allegedly obtained about $1.6 million in fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans for seven businesses linked to Akande, Henderson, and associates. To secure these loans, they submitted false tax returns and loan applications with fabricated financial information.
In addition to the PPP loans, Akande’s business received a $48,900 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL), while Henderson’s two businesses collectively received $299,800 in fraudulent EIDL funds.
After receiving the loan money, the indictment alleges that Akande, Henderson, and Rollizo funneled the funds through multiple bank accounts to disguise the true origin and control of the money. This involved complex money laundering tactics aimed at concealing their illegal profits.
The 38-count indictment charges the defendants with bank fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud, concealment and transactional money laundering, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg condemned the fraudulent activity, saying, “Unscrupulous fraudsters exploited these programs for personal gain, stealing from taxpayers and legitimate business owners who desperately needed help.”
Special agents from Homeland Security Investigations and the FBI led the investigation. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah E. Klapman is prosecuting the case.
