California woman bagged $18M in COVID relief heist: feds

Federal prosecutors have charged Marisela Nuno, a 53-year-old Los Angeles woman, with allegedly seeking more than $18 million through fraudulent applications for pandemic relief loans. The case concerns funds intended to support small businesses during COVID-19; prosecutors say the applications included false business revenue statements and tax documents.

The Justice Department says the applications sought more than $15.7 million through the Paycheck Protection Program and over $2.6 million through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan programme. Nuno is accused of using funds she received for property, business start-up costs and payments to family members. She faces three wire fraud charges and one money laundering charge, carrying maximum sentences of 20 years per wire fraud count and 10 years for money laundering; these are allegations, and the article notes other California pandemic loan fraud cases.