N.C. woman used $150K virus relief loan for shopping spree, feds say
A North Carolina woman fraudulently obtained a $150,000 COVID relief loan and used the money on shopping sprees at high-end stores like Nieman Marcus, Nordstrom, Louis Vuitton and different jewelry sellers.
According to federal prosecutors, Jasmine Johnnae Clifton, 24, applied for a Small Business Administration loan in March, claiming to have suffered pandemic-shutdown-related business losses. She created false documents claiming revenue for an online store, Jazzy Jas, that had effectively gone out of business in September 2019.
The loan application was approved in August 2020 and Clifton went shopping for clothes, furniture and diamonds.
Clifton was indicted by a grand jury in February for wire fraud in relation to a disaster benefit and fraud in connection with major disaster or emergency benefits. Clifton faces 30 years for each charge and a possible $1,250,000 combined fine if convicted.
Clifton received pre-trial release after posting $25,000 bond, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina said.
With News Wire Services
