A Cook County postal worker was charged with crimes related to Paycheck Protection Program loan fraud, as announced by Attorney General Kwame Raoul this past week. Kelly Newman, age 37 and a resident of Chicago, supposedly received a total of $40,000 across two fraudulent PPP loans while still drawing a salary from the U.S. Postal Service.
The legal ramifications Newman faces include three counts of theft by deception over $10,000 and three counts of loan fraud, each of which are Class 2 felonies that could lead to up to seven years behind bars. In addition, Newman is up against four counts of forgery, which are Class 3 felonies and could result in up to a five-year sentence. According to the Attorney General’s office, her next court date is scheduled for May 13.
In a statement, Raoul expressed his disappointment, stating, “It is disappointing anyone employed by the federal government would take advantage of the federal COVID-era assistance programs.” He continued with his commitment to accountability: “These loans were intended to help small businesses and unemployed Americans survive the pandemic. I will continue to hold public workers accountable for abusing these critical programs to line their own pockets.”…