A Georgia attorney and former Atlanta police officer has been convicted on federal charges of fraudulently obtaining more than $7 million in pandemic relief funds.
Shelitha Robertson, 62, of Atlanta submitted applications for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans on behalf of four businesses she owned. The applications falsely inflated the number of employees and average monthly payroll for each of the businesses, resulting in larger PPP loans that she could legitimately obtain.
Robertson used the loan proceeds to buy luxury items, including a 10-carat diamond ring, and transfer funds to family members and a co-conspirator who already has pleaded guilty in the case.
Robertson was convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, three counts of wire fraud, and one count of money laundering. She faces a maximum of 20 years in prison for each count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud, and up to 10 years behind bars for money laundering.
The investigation was conducted by the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force, which the Justice Department formed in 2021 to enhance efforts to prevent and combat pandemic-related fraud.
Robertson is scheduled to be sentenced in April.
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