Malden Woman Sentenced For Fraudulently Acquiring COVID Relief Funds

MALDEN, MA — A Malden resident was sentenced in federal court for fraudulently obtaining more than $105,000 from the country’s Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program that was made available during the COVID-19 pandemic.

41-year-old Teshawnda Knight was sentenced to 18 months in prison Monday after pleading guilty to one count of wire fraud. Between April 202 and August 2021, Knight reportedly submitted PUA applications and certifications that contained false information and false documents in order to acquire the funds illegally. She was first arrested one year ago along with 40 others who all worked together in a racketeering conspiracy.

Knight’s sentence will be followed by three years of supervised release. In addition, she will have to pay the exact amount she defrauded the government of, $105,250, in restitution.

The COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force played a significant role in discovering and prosecuting the crime, as well as the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force.