Kansas City woman pleads guilty to COVID-19 fraud, identity theft

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A Kansas City, Missouri, woman has pleaded guilty to COVID-19 fraud and identity theft.

Rasheda McDaniel, 42, pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday to a scheme to fraudulently obtain Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP) loans, admitting to to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.

According to court documents, on or about March 22, 2021, McDaniel and co-defendant Briauna Adams used another person's information to submit an online application for a COVID-19 relief PPP loan in that person's name.

The loan application listed a business with Schedule C gross receipts of $147,412 and a net income of $98,562, but its actual returns listed zero taxable income and did not have a Schedule C.

On or about April 2, 2021, the PPP loan was approved and $20,832 was wire deposited.