A 29-year-old woman named Paradise Williams was sentenced to five years in prison for money laundering and wire fraud by the U.S. District Court in Seattle. Williams was found guilty of leading a multimillion-dollar COVID-19 relief fund fraud scheme.
According to federal prosecutors, Williams organized a fraudulent scheme aimed to steal more than $6.8 million from major pandemic assistance programs. The ringleader personally received over $2 million from various government agencies, and used the funds for purchasing luxury cars, going on expensive trips, getting cosmetic surgery, buying jewelry, and designer goods. These details have been confirmed by officials.
According to court records, Williams has been accused of submitting 125 fraudulent applications for pandemic relief programs between June 2020 and February 2022, which includes the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act unemployment benefits. As part of her plea agreement, Williams will have to pay $2,791,241 in restitution as well as $512,730 to the U.S. Small Business Administration.
