Myiesha Robertson, age 35, of New Orleans, pleaded guilty on March 4 before United States District Judge Greg G. Guidry to three counts involving false statements to the Internal Revenue Service and fraud related to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), according to a March 11 announcement by U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by federal authorities to address fraudulent claims made during the COVID-19 pandemic and ensure accountability for misuse of relief funds.
Court documents show that Robertson admitted in Count 1 to making false statements to the IRS in 2022 by claiming credits for a tax customer that resulted in an improper refund. In Count 2, she admitted failing to report approximately $116,000 of her own taxable income on her IRS Form 1040 for the same year. For Count 3, Robertson acknowledged making false statements to the Small Business Administration in order to obtain about $60,900 in pandemic-related relief loans, including Paycheck Protection Program funds.
Sentencing is scheduled for June 10. For Counts 1 and 2 regarding false statements to the IRS, Robertson faces up to three years in prison per count, fines up to $100,000 per count, and up to three years of supervised release. For Count 3 related to CARES Act fraud, she faces up to five years in prison, a fine up to $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release. There is also a mandatory special assessment fee of $100 per count following conviction.
U.S. Attorney Courcelle praised the work of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations division on this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward J. Rivera is leading the prosecution.
More information about the Department of Justice’s response to pandemic-related fraud can be found at https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus. Reports about suspected COVID-19 fraud can be submitted via phone or online through resources provided by the Department of Justice.
