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Take the money and run.
That’s what the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina alleges a woman did with $149,000 in COVID-19 business relief loan money, according to People.
Jasmine Johnnae Clifton, 24, used to have a clothing store, but it apparently had closed before the COVID-19 pandemic started. Clifton allegedly took the relief money and took off on a shopping spree.
She appeared in court on Monday after being charged with two counts of fraud for using a business that has been disbanded to obtain relief funds via a Small Business Administration loan, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina.
The release said Clifton, who lives in Charlotte, applied last year for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan — which is meant to aid businesses affected by the ongoing pandemic — stating that her online clothing business, Jazzy Jas, needed help. But the business had closed up shop earlier.
Clifton allegedly applied with false information about revenues and a “fraudulent tax document.” She was approved and given the money. The U.S. Attorney’s Office said she allegedly used the cash at a number of stores, including Nordstrom, Ikea, Louis Vuitton, Best Buy and Diamond stores.
She had previously been indicted by a grand jury on charges of wire fraud in relation to a disaster benefit, and fraud in connection with major disaster or emergency benefits on Feb. 17, according to the release.
Clifton could face up to 30 years in prison for each of the charges. She was released on bond after her court appearance.
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