Central Florida Woman Indicted for COVID-19 relief fraud US Attorney says

OCALA, Fla. — An Ocala woman has been indicted with one count of wire fraud related to the Coronavirus Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act US Attorney Roger B. Handberg said.

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According to the indictment, between April 2, 2021, and April 6, 2021, 30-year-old Passion Lajodia Jackson of Ocala devised a scheme to defraud the Small Business Administration (SBA).

Jackson applied for a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan under the CARES Act Investigators said.

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It is alleged that Jackson made false representations and provided false documentation to obtain the loan, according to US Attorney said.

The United States is seeking an order of forfeiture for at least $20,132, which represents the unlawful proceeds of the offense charged in the indictment.

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This case is being investigated by the FBI.

It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Norwalk U.S. Attorney investigators said.

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In May 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across the government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud.

Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866‑720‑5721 or click here:

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