Federal Grand Jury Indicts Urbana, IL, Women for Wire Fraud Related to COVID Relief Funds

URBANA, Ill. – A grand jury returned an indictment on March 8, 2023, against two Urbana, Illinois, women, Tasheena White, 32, of the 2400 block of Goodfield Drive, and Uniqua Whitaker, 26, of the 1200 block of Clifford Drive, charging each with one count of wire fraud related to Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans.

The indictment alleges that both White and Whitaker, United States Postal Service employees, engaged in a scheme to submit falsified loan applications and supporting documentation to acquire PPP loans in Spring 2021. White and Whitaker each obtained approximately $20,000 in PPP loans funds. Both have been issued a summons to appear in federal court in Urbana.

Agencies participating in the investigation include the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Springfield Field Office; the United States Postal Inspection Service; the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General; the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General; and the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathan Bertrand is representing the government in the prosecution.

Members of the public are reminded that an indictment is merely an accusation; the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.