Theodore S. Hertzberg United States Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia | Department of Justice
Salimot Akande, Garey Henderson, and Jacqueline Rollizo have been arraigned on federal charges related to alleged fraud and money laundering involving COVID-19 pandemic relief programs. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia, the three are accused of defrauding government programs designed to support small businesses during the pandemic and laundering nearly $2 million in illicit proceeds.
“The federal government created programs to provide critical relief to small businesses and support our economy during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said United States Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “Unfortunately, unscrupulous fraudsters exploited these programs for personal gain, stealing from taxpayers and legitimate business owners who desperately needed help. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to aggressively investigate and prosecute those who broke the law to enrich themselves.”
Steven N. Schrank, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Georgia and Alabama, stated: “Stealing from pandemic relief programs is a betrayal of the public trust and a direct attack on the businesses that truly needed help during a time of crisis. HSI and our law enforcement partners will continue to aggressively pursue those who exploit these programs for personal gain.”
“These defendants are accused of stealing from programs meant to keep small businesses afloat during a national emergency,” said Paul Brown, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “Their alleged fraud not only siphoned off vital resources from those in real need but also undermined public trust. The FBI will continue to work with our partners to ensure that those who exploit national crises for personal profit are held accountable.”
Prosecutors allege that Akande, 41, of Atlanta; Henderson, 45, of Marietta; and Rollizo, 52, of Woodstock obtained approximately $1.6 million through fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans by submitting false tax documents and loan applications for seven businesses connected with them or others.
Additionally, Akande and Henderson allegedly secured fraudulent Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs), with Akande’s business receiving $48,900 and Henderson’s two businesses obtaining $299,800.
The indictment claims that after acquiring these funds, all three defendants moved money through several bank accounts in an attempt to hide its origin.
Charges include bank fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy charges related to both offenses as well as concealment and transactional money laundering.
Officials remind the public that indictments are only allegations at this stage; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty at trial.
Homeland Security Investigations and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are leading the investigation into this case.
Assistant United States Attorney Sarah E. Klapman is prosecuting.
The Department of Justice set up the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force on May 17, 2021 https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus in response to growing concerns about misuse of pandemic-related relief funds across multiple agencies within government. The task force aims both at prosecution efforts against criminal actors domestically or internationally as well as supporting agencies responsible for distributing relief funds by sharing information on known schemes.
Anyone with information about attempted COVID-19 fraud can report it by calling 866-720-5721 or submitting details via the NCDF Web Complaint Form.
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