EX-BSO deputy convicted in COVID-19 reduction fraud scheme

BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. – A former Broward Sheriff’s Workplace deputy was convicted Tuesday of two counts of wire fraud for orchestrating a COVID-19 reduction fraud scheme, the U.S. Division of Justice introduced Wednesday in a information launch.

In accordance with prosecutors, Stephanie Diane Smith, 53, of Dawn, acquired two PPP loans for herself in 2021 “as a sole proprietor doing enterprise as Kids 1st Basketball Coaching and Agape Smith Merchandising.”

Prosecutors mentioned Smith offered false details about every enterprise’s gross earnings for 2019, together with falsified IRS tax varieties that had been submitted with every software.

“Smith additionally sought and acquired forgiveness of each fraudulently obtained PPP loans, which totaled over $31,000 in principal and curiosity,” the information launch said.

Smith, who labored for BSO final 12 months when she was charged, was amongst 17 BSO staff charged in a wide-ranging PPP mortgage fraud investigation.

Sheriff Gregory Tony instructed reporters in October 2023 that every one 17 staff could be fired.

“In the event that they’re being criminally charged, there’s no place for this on this group and their due course of parts will likely be executed and we’ll undergo that course of, however this one here’s a no-brainer. How can we now have anybody carrying a badge that’s stealing from the American individuals?” Tony mentioned on the time.

Smith faces as much as 20 years in jail for every wire fraud conviction. She is scheduled to be sentenced on Might 29.