Syreeta Price, a Maryland resident, has pleaded guilty to first-degree fraud in the DC Superior Court. She was charged with defrauding a Covid-19 tenant assistance program by obtaining over $20,000 despite not being a tenant in Washington D.C. The announcement came from U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr., and District of Columbia Inspector General Daniel W. Lucas.
Judge Errol Arthur accepted her plea and set the sentencing date for April 8, 2025.
Court documents reveal that in 2021, Price submitted an application to the Stronger Together by Assisting You (STAY DC) program through a third party. This initiative was designed to aid DC renters affected by the Covid-19 pandemic with unpaid rent and utilities. Although she resided in Maryland at the time, Price falsely used an acquaintance's address in Southeast DC to qualify as a DC resident. Consequently, she received a check for $22,750 intended for nearly a year's worth of unpaid rent at that address. Despite knowing her ineligibility for the funds, Price cashed and deposited the check into her bank account for personal use.
The case was investigated by the D.C. Office of the Inspector General and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Micah Bluming.