Houston Woman Pleads Guilty to Covid Fraud Scheme
Summary
A press release of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Missouri dated Friday, May 24, 2024, announcing that Prayshana Washington, 37, of Houston, Texas, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips to one count of theft of government property over Missouri and CARES Act unemployment benefits. According to the release, she admitted filing claims in her own name and in the names and personal identifying information of other persons who were not eligible for benefits. It states that the emergency increase in benefits provided an additional $600 weekly payment and that the total loss from May 2020 to June 2021 is at least $550,000 but less than $1.5 million. Under her plea agreement she must pay restitution as determined by the court.
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Full text
Press Release Houston Woman Pleads Guilty to Covid Fraud Scheme Friday, May 24, 2024 For Immediate Release U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Missouri KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Houston, Texas, woman has pleaded guilty in federal court to fraudulently receiving Missouri and Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act unemployment benefits using the identity information of numerous other persons. Prayshana Washington, 37, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips on Thursday, May 23, to one count of theft of government property. By pleading guilty, Washington admitted she facilitated the filing of false claims in her name and the names of other persons, thereby fraudulently receiving unemployment benefits paid through the state of Missouri. These benefits included benefits from the CARES Act. Washington filed claims for unemployment benefits, using the name and personal identifying information of individuals in the state of Missouri and elsewhere. These persons were not eligible to receive Missouri and enhanced unemployment benefits. The emergency increase in unemployment compensation benefits provided an additional $600 weekly payment. The total loss amount from May 2020 to June 2021 is at least $550,000 but less than $1.5 million. Under the terms of her plea agreement, Washington must pay restitution as determined by the court. Under federal statutes, Washington is subject to a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul S. Becker. It was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General and the Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General – Office of Investigations & Labor Racketeering Fraud. Updated May 24, 2024 Topics Coronavirus Financial Fraud Component USAO - Missouri, Western Related Content Press Release KC Daycare Owner Sentenced for $772,000 Fraud Scheme A Kansas City, Mo., day care owner was sentenced in federal court today for her role in a conspiracy that resulted in a $653,329 tax loss to the federal government... May 24, 2024 Press Release Springfield Man Indicted for Timeshare Fraud Scheme A Springfield, Mo., business owner has been indicted by a federal grand jury for a timeshare fraud scheme as well as for failing to pay more than $333,000 in federal... May 24, 2024 Press Release KC Woman Pleads Guilty to $240,000 Email Fraud Scheme A Kansas City, Mo., woman pleaded guilty in federal court today to laundering more than $240,000 she unlawfully obtained from a New York business as part of an email compromise... May 23, 2024
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