MONTGOMERY, Ala. – A federal judge sentenced Michelle Denise McIntyre, a 34-year-old from Tallassee, Alabama, to nine and a half years in prison on April 2, 2025. McIntyre pled guilty to charges of wire fraud and money laundering tied to grants obtained through the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. Acting U.S. Attorney Kevin Davidson announced the sentence, specifying that McIntyre would be under supervised release for three years following her prison term, with no possibility of parole for federal inmates.
The Restaurant Revitalization Fund, formed in March 2021 under the American Rescue Plan Act and managed by the Small Business Administration (SBA), aimed to compensate restaurants for COVID-19 related revenue losses. The funds were forgivable if used appropriately.
McIntyre admitted in her plea agreement that in May 2021, she falsely claimed the operation of a catering business since late 2019 to secure RRF grants. She submitted fabricated documents indicating food orders for the business to the SBA, leading to the award of $131,478.76. Records show she diverted these funds for personal purchases, including a vehicle.
Further investigation revealed McIntyre applied for more federal relief funds, such as Paycheck Protection Program Loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans, on behalf of others for profit. She charged fees to file relief applications, irrespective of her clients' eligibility, and required a share of any acquired funds. McIntyre's fraudulent actions burdened the SBA with losses exceeding $700,000 and posed potential losses surpassing $14 million. The restitution figure will be determined subsequently.
"Fraud committed against federal programs is fraud against the American taxpayer," stated Acting U.S. Attorney Davidson, emphasizing his office's commitment to pursuing such cases.
Investigators include the SBA OIG, IRS-CI, and the FBI Mobile Field Office. McIntyre’s case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan A. Kirkpatrick. Special Agent Amaleka McCall-Brathwaite and Demetrius Hardeman stressed the significance of upholding accountability for pandemic-related fraud, reaffirming the continuous efforts to penalize offenders.