Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson has announced that Brandon Jarrow, also known as Brandi Jarrow, age 33, from New Orleans, has pleaded guilty to charges related to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). The plea was entered on May 8, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo.
The CARES Act was signed into law on March 27, 2020, providing emergency assistance through the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) to small business owners impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The primary funding sources were the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) program.
According to court documents, Jarrow submitted a false EIDL application on behalf of a business around June 20, 2020. This fraudulent activity resulted in the theft of $95,000 in government funds. Additionally, on February 4, 2021, Jarrow made false statements to an approved lender to secure a $20,833 PPP loan for another sham business.
Sentencing is scheduled for August 13, 2025. For making false statements and theft of government funds counts, Jarrow faces up to five years and ten years in prison respectively. Each count carries potential fines up to $250,000 along with up to three years of supervised release and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.
Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson commended the investigative efforts of the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration - Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward J. Rivera from the Financial Crimes Unit is leading the prosecution.
For further information regarding the Department of Justice’s response to the pandemic or to report allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 funds, individuals are encouraged to visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus or contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721.