Three Veterans Affairs employees indicted by grand jury on fraud charges

Three Department of Veterans Affairs employees in Illinois were indicted by a federal grand jury this week, on allegations that they schemed to falsely obtain $20,000 each through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

The U.S. Small Business Administration created the program during the COVID-19 pandemic, in order to help small businesses stay afloat during the pandemic by offering loans to struggling companies.

Two of the employees, Katherine Liggins and Eric Scott, are facing one count of wire fraud and one count of material false statement in order to secure the loans.

The other employee, 44-year-old Tamika Wilson, is facing two counts of wire fraud, two counts of material false statement and two counts of material false documents. Prosecutors claimed Wilson applied for, and received $40,000 in PPP loans that she was not qualified for.

“Countless small business owners and employees fell on hard economic times during the COVID-19 pandemic, and PPP loans allowed many to keep their families fed and lights on,” U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe said in a statement. "Greedy individuals who sought to steal from the federal government under false pretenses and enrich themselves with PPP funds will be held accountable under the law.”

The employees also allegedly used misinformation to apply and receive loan forgiveness.

“These indictments send a clear message that VA employees will be held accountable if involved in fraudulent activities,” Special Agent in Charge Gregory Billingsley said. "The VA Office of the Inspector General thanks the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their efforts in this investigation.”

The employees are presumed innocent until proven guilty, and indictments are just formal charges. But if convicted, the employees could face up to 20 years in prison for wire fraud, and up to five years in prison for false statement and documents convictions.

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just the News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.