Please E-mail suggested additions, comments and/or corrections to Kent@MoreLaw.Com.
Date: 08-06-2021
Case Style:
Case Number: 3:21-cr-00074-KAC-HBG
Judge: Katherine Crytzer
Court: United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee (Knox County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: United States Attorney’s Office
Defendant's Attorney:
Description: Knoxville, Tennessee criminal defense lawyer represented Defendant charged with wire fraud.
Porsha Tims Bush, 41, of Knoxville, was charged with one count of executing a wire fraud scheme.
From March to June 2020, Bush applied for ten loans for $547,286 through the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. Bush submitted false and fraudulent applications under the names of various companies that either did not qualify for COVID-19 relief funds or that did not exist. Bush submitted nine fraudulent applications to financial institutions seeking PPP funds and one fraudulent application to the SBA seeking EIDL funds. As part of her fraud scheme, Bush submitted fabricated supporting records and made false statements about the number of employees she had, the revenue she generated, and the amount of payroll expenses she incurred. Bush also made false statements about the corporate entities and the intended use of the loan proceeds.
In one instance, on March 30, 2020, Bush submitted an online application to the SBA in the name of Enlightenment Family Care, Inc., seeking $150,000 in EIDL funds. On the application, Bush falsely claimed that Enlightenment Family Care employed four individuals, generated $335,651 in gross revenue, and paid wages of $45,651 in the twelve months preceding the COVID-19 pandemic. These claims were all false. In further support of the application, Bush included fraudulent supporting documents, including a falsified Profit and Loss Statement and a fabricated Internal Revenue Service Form 941, Employer Quarterly Federal Tax Return, for the first quarter of 2020.
As a result of Bush’s fraudulent scheme, lenders approved eight of her fraudulent applications. Rather than using the funds for permissible business expenses, as required by the SBA, Bush used the money to pay off personal debt, pay for personal travel, purchase clothes and electronics, and to fund her daily lifestyle.
During the investigation, law enforcement obtained warrants to seize approximately $77,820.44 in fraudulent proceeds held in three bank accounts controlled by Bush. As set forth in the filed plea agreement, Bush will forfeit these seized funds to the United States.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William A. Roach, Jr.
18:1343 - Wire Fraud
(1)
Outcome: 08/05/2021 9 ORDER Approving Consent to Appear by Video Conference by Porsha Tims Bush. Signed by Magistrate Judge H Bruce Guyton on 8/5/2021. (MGD) (Entered: 08/05/2021)
08/05/2021 10 DUE PROCESS PROTECTIONS ACT ORDER as to Porsha Tims Bush. Signed by Magistrate Judge H Bruce Guyton on 8/5/2021. (MGD) (Entered: 08/05/2021)
08/05/2021 11 Minute Entry for proceedings held before Magistrate Judge H Bruce Guyton:Initial Appearance on Information as to Porsha Tims Bush held on 8/5/2021. Defendant reserved entry of plea pending hearing before District Judge Crytzer. (Court Reporter ecro)Defendant Released on Conditions. (MGD) (Main Document 11 replaced on 8/5/2021) (MGD). (Entered: 08/05/2021)
08/05/2021 12 ORDER Setting Conditions of Release. Signed by Magistrate Judge H Bruce Guyton on 8/5/2021. (MGD) (Entered: 08/05/2021)
08/05/2021 13 ORDER Approving Consent to Appear by Video Conference by Porsha Tims Bush signed by District Judge Katherine A Crytzer on 8/5/2021. (JDH) (Entered: 08/05/2021)
08/05/2021 14 Minute Entry for proceedings held before District Judge Katherine A Crytzer: Video Plea to Information Hearing as to Porsha Tims Bush held on 8/5/2021. Plea entered by Porsha Tims Bush (1); guilty as to Count 1 of the Information. Sentencing set for 1/7/2022 3:00 PM in Courtroom 3C - Knoxville before District Judge Katherine A Crytzer. Court Reporter: Kara Nagorny Defendant remains released on conditions. (JDH) (Entered: 08/05/2021)
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments: