Former City Attorney Robertson Sentenced for $15 Million PPP Fraud

Lina Portman3 weeks ago

2 2 minutes read

ATLANTA – Shelitha Robertson, who previously served as an assistant city attorney and a City of Atlanta police officer, was convicted of fraudulently obtaining approximately $15 million in loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), a federal stimulus program authorized under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Robertson, 62, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Steven D. Grimberg to seven years and three months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. A jury found Robertson guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, three counts of wire fraud and one count of money laundering on December 19, 2023.

“Motivated by greed, Robertson deceptively obtained funds intended to provide emergency financial assistance to struggling small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said United States Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute criminals who stole pandemic relief funds. »

“Today, the defendant in this case was held accountable for fraudulently obtaining millions of dollars through the Paycheck Protection Program and using those stolen funds to enrich herself, while small businesses were struggling during the pandemic,” said Kyle A. Myles, Special Agent in Charge. of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Office of Inspector General, Atlanta Region. “The FDIC OIG remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners to pursue and bring to justice those who have taken advantage of these pandemic relief programs and threatened the integrity of our nation's financial institutions. »

“Plots to divert vital funds from legitimate businesses that needed support during the pandemic undermine the integrity of SBA programs,” said Amaleka McCall-Braithwaite, Special Agent in Charge of the SBA Eastern Region. OIG. “Our office remains committed to pursuing those who exploit federal programs for personal gain. I would like to thank the United States. The District Attorney's Office and our law enforcement partners for their unwavering commitment to justice in this case.

“The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration will aggressively pursue individuals who commit fraud against the American taxpayer by making false statements to obtain Paycheck Protection Program loans for legitimate businesses that do so. needed to survive the pandemic,” said Special Agent in Charge Mark H Morini. , Jr. “We want to express our gratitude to our federal partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their assistance in holding these individuals accountable.”

According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, court documents and evidence presented at trial: Shelitha Robertson and other co-conspirators submitted PPP loan applications on behalf of four companies she owned and controlled. The loan applications falsely inflated the number of employees and average monthly payroll for each of the four companies, resulting in PPP loans that were larger than what Robertson was legitimately entitled to obtain. Robertson and his co-conspirator, Chandra Norton, also submitted false tax documents to support exaggerated claims on each loan application. Robertson used the loan proceeds to purchase luxury items, including a 10-carat diamond ring. She also transferred funds to Chandra Norton and her family members.

This matter was investigated by the Office of Inspector General of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC-OIG), the Office of Inspector General of the United States Small Business Administration United States (SBA-OIG) and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA).

Assistant United States Attorneys Bernita B. Malloy and Trial Attorney Ariel Glasner of the Department of Justice Criminal Division's Fraud Section prosecuted the case.