ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL CHARGES TWO SUBURBAN CHICAGO RESIDENTS OVER FRAUDULENT PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM LOANS

ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL CHARGES TWO SUBURBAN CHICAGO RESIDENTS OVER FRAUDULENT PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM LOANS

August 28, 2024

Chicago - Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced he has charged two suburban Chicago residents alleging they fraudulently applied for and received Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Attorney General's office charged Samantha Hower, 36, of Elmwood Park, Illinois with three counts of theft by deception of over $10,000 and two counts of loan fraud, which are all Class 2 felonies punishable by up to seven years in prison; four counts of forgery, Class 3 felonies punishable by up to five years in prison; and one count of income tax fraud, a Class 4 felony punishable by up to three years in prison. Hower's next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 1.

Raoul's office also charged Dion Wilson, 35, of Warrenville, Illinois with one count of theft by deception over $10,000 and one count of loan fraud, both Class 2 felonies punishable by up to seven years in prison; three counts of forgery, each Class 3 felonies punishable by up to five years in prison; and one count of income tax fraud, a Class 4 felony punishable by up to three years in prison. Wilson's next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 22.

Sentences are served consecutively and are ultimately determined by the court.

"It is unconscionable that individuals would take advantage of assistance programs that provided a lifeline for millions of unemployed Americans and small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic," Raoul said. "I will continue to ensure individuals who exploited pandemic assistance programs to line their own pockets are held accountable."

Attorney General Raoul's office alleges Hower and Wilson both fraudulently applied for PPP loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration by falsely claiming that they owned businesses that did not exist. According to Raoul's office, Hower received $20,833 in April 2021 and $20,833 in May 2021 as a result of two fraudulent applications. Hower also allegedly applied for and received a COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) for a business that did not exist.

In addition, Wilson allegedly received $20,832 in March 2021 as a result of a fraudulent application while employed by the Illinois State Police (ISP).

"Those breaking the law must be held accountable, especially those charged with enforcing the law," said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. "These actions to do not reflect the values and integrity of ISP. This individual has been placed on administrative leave without pay and ISP has recommended termination to the ISP Merit Board."

The Attorney General's office is prosecuting both cases based on referrals from the Office of Executive Inspector General.

The charges are the most recent actions in Attorney General Raoul's ongoing efforts to hold individuals accountable for fraudulently collecting government assistance related to the pandemic. In June 2024, Raoul's office announced charges related to PPP loan fraud against 15 government employees and a former Cook County Sheriff's Office employee in July. Earlier this month, Raoul charged a former employee with the Illinois Department of Revenue for fraudulently receiving two Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans for over $41,000.

The public is reminded that the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Assistant Attorney General Haley Bookhout is prosecuting both cases for Raoul's Public Integrity Bureau.