Rachael Robinson, a 37-year-old resident of South Bend, Indiana, has been sentenced for wire fraud after pleading guilty in federal court. The sentencing was delivered by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty, according to an announcement from Acting United States Attorney M. Scott Proctor.
Robinson has been ordered to pay $55,280.47 in restitution to the victims affected by her actions.
Court documents show that in February and April 2021, Robinson submitted two fraudulent applications for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) relief funds on behalf of a business that did not exist. The PPP program was created as part of the CARES Act to provide loans intended for job retention and other expenses during the economic impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Through these false applications, Robinson received approximately $50,000 in PPP funds which she used for personal benefit rather than any approved business purpose.
The investigation into this case involved multiple agencies: the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Housing and Urban Development-Office of Inspector General, and the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation Division. Assistant United States Attorneys Luke N. Reilander and Joel Gabrielse prosecuted the case.
“M. Scott Proctor U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana announced Robinson’s sentencing.”
