A Malden resident has been sentenced for fraudulently obtaining over $100,000 from the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program. Teshawnda Knight, aged 41, received an 18-month prison sentence followed by three years of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay restitution and forfeiture amounting to $105,250.
Knight's sentencing was carried out by U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs after she pleaded guilty in July 2024 to one count of wire fraud. Her arrest occurred in February 2024 alongside more than 40 members and associates of the Heath Street Gang who faced charges including racketeering conspiracy, drug trafficking, firearms offenses, and financial frauds related to COVID-19.
The fraudulent activities took place between April 2020 and August 2021 when Knight submitted three PUA applications with false information and documents—two in Massachusetts and one in Indiana—resulting in her receiving a total of $105,250 in benefits.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox; and Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent in Charge at the Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Hoefle prosecuted the case.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation aimed at dismantling high-level criminal organizations through a multi-agency approach led by prosecutors using intelligence-driven methods.
In response to pandemic-related fraud, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force on May 17, 2021. This task force coordinates resources across government agencies to combat fraud associated with relief programs during the pandemic.
Individuals with information about attempted COVID-19-related fraud can report it via the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline or through their web complaint form.