A Louisiana woman has been sentenced to 13 months in federal prison for misusing COVID-19 relief funds, according to authorities.
Gernesia Williams, 47, of Baton Rouge, fraudulently obtained more than $100,000 through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program between April 2020 and January 2023. While she pledged to use the funds as working capital for pandemic-related financial struggles, officials say she misused at least $110,030.47 for personal expenses.
Among the improper purchases, Williams spent over $30,000 on jewelry and more than $20,000 on a destination wedding in Florida.
In addition to her prison sentence, she has been ordered to serve three years of supervised release and must repay the full $110,030.47 in restitution.
In September 2024, San Diego restaurant owner, Leronce Suel, was convicted of tax and COVID-relief fraud after reportedly hiding millions of dollars in cash in his house.
Suel was charged with underreporting over $1.7 million in revenue on tax returns and providing false information to secure $1.77 million in Paycheck Protection Program loans and Restaurant Revitalization Fund grants.
He allegedly certified that his businesses, Rockstar Dough LLC and Chicken Feed LLC, would use the money appropriately.
“Instead of using the COVID-19 relief program funds on eligible expenses, Suel and his co-conspirator made substantial cash withdrawals from their business bank accounts and purchased a home in Arkansas,” prosecutors said. “As part of their conspiracy, Suel concealed more than $2.4 million in cash in his bedroom.”
The restaurant owner also conspired with his business partner to falsify tax returns and failed to report cash and personal expenses, according to prosecutors. He now faces charges of wire fraud, conspiracy, and tax crimes.
