Hip Hop Reality-TV Star Pleads Guilty To Bank, Wire Fraud: Feds

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA — A reality-TV star and Dacula resident accused of using a coronavirus small-business loan to bankroll a lavish lifestyle has pleaded guilty to bank fraud, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Justice.

Maurice Fayne, 38, who appeared on VH-1’s Love and Hip Hop: Atlanta, was arrested in May of 2020 for misusing a $2 million loan he claimed would help keep his fictitious trucking company afloat. Instead, Fayne — who goes by the stage name Arkansas Mo — used the money to buy jewelry, lease a Rolls-Royce and pay child support.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported at the time that authorities searched Fayne's Dacula home and seized about $80,000 in cash, including $9,400 he had in his pockets at the time, according to authorities. Warrants also were executed for three of his bank accounts, where more than $500,000 was seized.

CNN reported that Fayne had previously denied to federal agents that he used the funds for himself, answering "kinda, sorta, not really" when asked about it.

In addition to pleading guilty to bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution, Fayne pleaded guilty to wire fraud and conspiracy in connection with a Ponzi scheme in which about 20 investors put more than $5 million into his fake company, Flame Trucking.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia reports that it has charged dozens of people with federal crimes related to Paycheck Protection Program fraud.

“Unfortunately, when criminals steal these funds, they take them out of the hands of those suffering financial hardship,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine. “Criminals should understand that the diversion of taxpayer money meant to help small businesses survive this crisis will be fully investigated and prosecuted.”

No information was given on how and when Fayne would be sentenced.

Read the statement from the U.S. Department of Justice.

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