6 indicted in Kansas City in scheme to steal $240,000 in COVID relief funds, feds say
Six people have been indicted in an alleged fraud conspiracy centered in Kansas City that led to $240,000 in COVID-19 relief loans being paid out to businesses that were fake or misrepresented in applications, according to federal prosecutors.
Prosecutors allege Renetta Golden-Larimore, 54, of Kansas City, knowingly prepared false paperwork for five other conspirators to obtain the loans through the federal Paycheck Protection Program. She charged a fee ranging between $2,000 and $7,000 for her services, according to a federal indictment unsealed Tuesday.
Also accused of participating in the conspiracy are Kansas City-area residents Tajona Manning, 31; Tashawn Mayfield, 24; Camonte Henderson, 25; along with Quinniece Smith, 33, of Dallas, Texas; and Dannisha Taylor, 32, of New Orleans, Louisiana.
Each of the five was approved for a loan of about $21,000. All six are charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud, the indictment says.
Between March 2021 and January 2022, the indictment says, Golden-Larimore submitted paperwork on behalf of businesses with inflated gross and net incomes. Examples listed in the indictment include a landscaping business and another for beautician services.
Golden-Larimore faces additional criminal charges in a separate federal indictment filed in May. In that case, she allegedly helped 11 Kansas City area residents obtain $250,000 in fraudulent PPP loans.
The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service and Kansas City police.
