Wendy Ann Thomas, a 47-year-old resident of Charleston, West Virginia, has pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting money laundering in connection with a fraudulent COVID-19 relief scheme. The plea was entered following her admission that $20,833 from a fraudulently obtained Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan was deposited into her personal checking account.
Court documents reveal that the funds were deposited on June 22, 2021. Thomas confessed to allowing another individual to direct the PPP loan proceeds into her account despite knowing they were criminally derived. She further admitted to withdrawing $17,000 from this account the following day, aware that it constituted most of the illicit funds.
Thomas is set for sentencing on June 12, 2025. She could face up to ten years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Additionally, she is required to pay restitution amounting to $20,833.
The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston who praised the investigative efforts of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office.
The hearing was overseen by United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston. Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan T. Storage is handling the prosecution.
Authorities urge anyone with information about COVID-19 related fraud to report it through the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline or via their web complaint form.
For further details on this case, including court documents and information, individuals can refer to Case No. 2:24-cr-172 on PACER or visit the U.S. Attorney’s Office website for the Southern District of West Virginia.