Over in Farmington Hills, a woman who once spent her career analyzing data for the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, found herself in a different kind of spotlight recently. Tiesha Johnson, aged 56, pled no contest in the 6th Circuit Court in Oakland County for fraudulently obtaining government funds.
Johnson’s charges involved false pretenses, or in simpler terms, claiming something that was far from the truth. Scores between $1,000 and $20,000 were manipulated by her, and she has agreed to repay the stolen amount of $34,675 in restitution.
The funds Johnson seized were Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loans and an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). These were federal funds designed to support businesses in meeting payroll expenses during the dark days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The investigation into Johnson’s fraudulent activities started two years back, in July 2022. The U.S. Department of Justice Office of Inspector General gave the nod to the Michigan Department of Attorney General, asking them to look into possible loan fraud cases.
It was found that two PPP loans and one EIDL advance, totaling $34,675, found its way into Johnson’s bank account while she was serving as a federal employee.
She was eventually arrested in Dallas, Texas, under the incrimination of the Department of Attorney General’s warrants. Her journey didn’t end there, as she was then escorted back to Michigan and arraigned in December of the following year.
The tale of Tiesha Johnson stands as an unfortunate reminder that fraudulent activities can take place anywhere, even within the systems designed to protect us. For businesses struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic, these funds could have made a significant difference. It is essential to remember these stories, learn from them, and work towards preventing such occurrences in the future.
