Former Cincinnati woman convicted of wire fraud related to pandemic relief funds

CINCINNATI – A federal jury has found a former Cincinnati woman guilty on all counts as charged of crimes related to pandemic relief fraud.

Lashawnda Alexander, 40, currently of Katy, Texas, was convicted of three counts of wire fraud.

The verdict was announced following a trial that took place Aug. 26 to Aug. 30 before U.S. District Judge Matthew W. McFarland.

According to court documents and trial testimony, in June 2020, Alexander submitted several fraudulent COVID-19 relief loan applications.

Specifically, on June 23, 2020, Alexander applied for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) for business “Lashawnda Alexander.” Alexander stated in the application that the business employed 10 employees and had $125,000 in gross revenue in the year prior to January 31, 2020.  Minutes later using the same device another application was submitted in the name of a family member claiming that the business employed 10 employees and had $120,000 in gross revenue.

The next day, on June 24, 2020, Alexander applied for an EIDL for business “TressD LLC,” a hair and nail salon that she said employed 15 employees and made gross revenue of $175,000 during the prior year.

In total, Alexander attempted to obtain at least $137,500 and ultimately received $91,000 in EIDL funds. Alexander’s applications contradicted her 2019 tax return. 

In the following months, Alexander bought a Mercedes Benz SUV and moved to Texas all while continuing to collect pandemic unemployment assistance from the Ohio Department of Job & Family Services.

Alexander was indicted by a federal grand jury in July 2022.

Wire fraud is a federal crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Congress sets the minimum and maximum statutory sentences. Sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors at a future hearing.

Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Yvonne Dicristoforo, Special Agent in Charge, United States Secret Service, announced the verdict. Assistant United States Attorneys Ebunoluwa A. Taiwo and Anthony Springer are representing the United States in this case. The case was investigated by members of the Financial Crimes Working Group Pandemic Fraud Committee.

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