Freeport Woman Indicted On $3 Million Fraudulent Loan Scheme: US Atty.

BROOKLYN, NY — A Freeport woman was indicted Thursday on charges related to a $3 million fraudulent applications scheme, prosecutors said.

Donna Ingram, 50, was arrested Thursday and charged with wire fraud, disaster relief fraud and theft of public funds. She was scheduled to be arraigned Thursday afternoon, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District said.

"As alleged, the defendant made a business out of defrauding the government by falsely claiming that she and others needed government loan benefits to pay their employees during the pandemic. This money was meant to help businesses weather the pandemic. In reality, the defendant was lining her own pockets," said United States Attorney Breon Peace.

As outlined in court filings, between May 2020 and May 2021, Ingram submitted at least 27 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) on behalf of her own companies as well as at least 22 other businesses, Peace said.

Ingram is accused of submitting two separate applications for loans, the U.S. Attorney said.

In total, the subject business received loans of approximately $3.28 million and Ingram received kickbacks of at least $430,000 for her preparation and submission of the fraudulent applications, Peace.

If convicted, Ingram faces up to 20 years in prison.

"This office will continue prosecuting those who took advantage of the COVID crisis and stole funds from vitally important government relief programs," Peace said.