In Chicago, Attorney General Kwame Raoul has charged Jasmine C. Combs, a resident of South Holland, Illinois, with alleged fraudulent acquisition of COVID-19 relief loans. According to the charges, Combs reportedly received approximately $28,000 through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loans, as announced on Tuesday.
Jasmine C. Combs, age 28, faces two Class 2 felony counts of theft, which each could result in a maximum of seven years in prison. Additionally, there are 10 Class 3 felony counts of forgery, punishable by up to five years in prison each, and three Class 4 felony counts of income tax fraud, with a maximum sentence of three years for each count.
The court will determine Combs' sentencing, with her next appearance scheduled for June 9, 2025.
Attorney General Raoul highlighted the significant role that the Paycheck Protection Program loans played for Illinois residents and small businesses during the pandemic. "Paycheck Protection Program loans were a lifeline for many Illinois residents and small businesses, which sustained so many of our communities when we needed them the most during the pandemic," he stated. "I am committed to holding accountable those who used the pandemic to steal from their communities and the state of Illinois."
Raoul's office has accused Combs of submitting fraudulent applications for the loans, collecting the COVID-19 relief funds in question. This case is one of several actions taken by Attorney General Raoul in response to fraudulent collection of government assistance during the pandemic. His office has already prosecuted several cases of PPP loan fraud and referred other investigations to pertinent state attorneys for further examination.
The public is reminded that Jasmine C. Combs remains presumed innocent until she is proven guilty in a court of law.
The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Chief Megan McGuire Bachman from Raoul’s Criminal Prosecutions and Trials Assistance Bureau.