In what could be considered a brazen example of COVID-19 relief fraud, a 50-year-old New York woman has been arrested after illegally siphoning more than $3 million from the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The case highlights not only the financial recklessness of one individual but also the vulnerabilities in government relief programs during the pandemic.
Donna Ingram, a resident of Long Island, New York, was arrested on May 23, 2024, after a joint investigation led by the U.S. Attorney’s office for the Eastern District of New York and various agencies, including the Secret Service and the NYPD, uncovered her fraudulent actions. Ingram is facing serious charges, including wire fraud, disaster relief fraud, and theft of public funds.
According to reports, Ingram submitted at least 27 fraudulent applications for PPP loans, many of which were made on behalf of other businesses. These applications, which falsely claimed that the money would be used to cover employee payroll, were riddled with lies about the businesses’ revenue, payroll costs, and number of employees. Ingram’s deceit wasn’t limited to her own businesses—she allegedly manipulated the system for at least 22 other companies, showing just how widespread her fraudulent activities were.
Even more egregious was the fact that Ingram received kickbacks totaling at least $430,000 from business owners for her role in preparing and submitting these bogus applications. This blatant misuse of taxpayer-funded relief money during a time when businesses were struggling to survive the pandemic is nothing short of unconscionable.
The response from authorities has been swift and stern. U.S. Attorney Breon Peace emphasized the severity of the crime, stating, “This money was meant to help businesses weather the pandemic. In reality, the defendant was lining her own pockets.” He added, “The pandemic may be over, but this Office will continue prosecuting those who took advantage of the COVID crisis and stole funds from vitally important government relief programs.”
The U.S. Secret Service, tasked with investigating fraud during the pandemic, was equally outraged by the actions of Ingram. Special Agent in Charge Patrick J. Freaney called her actions “simply unconscionable,” and reaffirmed the commitment of the Secret Service to continue holding fraudsters accountable, even as the country moves beyond the immediate crisis.
Adding his voice to the chorus of condemnation, New York Police Commissioner Edward Caban pledged that the NYPD would continue to collaborate with federal partners to stop other similar schemes from taking root. “The NYPD will continue to assist our federal partners in any of their investigations related to that grave time, with the goal of protecting taxpayer funds and holding all alleged fraudsters accountable for their actions,” Caban said.
While Ingram’s case is a prime example of fraud on a massive scale, it is far from an isolated incident. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General has been cracking down on pandemic-related fraud, with Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Mellone pledging to keep investigating fraudulent claims well beyond the immediate aftermath of the pandemic.
As authorities continue to hunt down fraudsters like Ingram, taxpayers must demand more oversight and accountability. The PPP was meant to provide a lifeline for businesses in need, but in the case of people like Ingram, it became just another tool for exploitation. When government programs are ripe for abuse, it is the hardworking citizens who ultimately pay the price. Ingram’s arrest is a step toward justice, but it must serve as a warning to anyone else tempted to take advantage of crises for personal gain.
