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The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –
Kenyatta Danielle Hooper, 34, of Memphis was arrested last week and charged by a federal grand Jury with six counts of wire fraud.
According to the office of U.S. Attorney Joseph C. Murphy of the Western District of Tennessee, Hooper allegedly applied for the Payment Protection Plan loans using fake documents. The federal loans were supposed to be used for business expenses such as payroll, rent or utilities as part of a government program to assist small businesses during the pandemic.
With the thousands of dollars that she obtained fraudulently, Hooper bought a new Maserati, and used the money to gamble, go to concerts and also on personal travel expenses. She also encouraged others to apply for loans that they did not legally qualify for and helped them with their fraudulent applications in return for “kickbacks.”
Murphy stated, “Bad actors, unfortunately, have targeted this critical assistance program and fraudulently diverted much-needed resources.”
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Although prosecutors said little about the details of the crime, Kenyatta Hooper in Memphis is listed in an online database as having received a PPP loan in March 2021 in the sum of $38,070. The business listed on that application was classified as a hobby, toy or game store with four employees on the payroll.
Hooper is also listed as sole owner for a now-vacant business named Smart Money Solutions on East Shelby Drive. That business received a PPP loan in April 2021 for $20,833.
An employee at a separate business in the strip mall at East Shelby Drive reportedly said that Hooper had been seen at Smart Money Solutions only a few times and never with any customers inside the store.
The Memphis Field Office of the United States Secret Service helped the FBI in arresting Hooper who now faces up to 20 years in federal prison on each count of wire fraud.
About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
