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Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Bluefield woman pleads guilty to COVID-19 fraud scheme
BLUEFIELD, WV (WVNS) — A Bluefield woman pleaded guilty to a COVID-19 relief fraud scheme. According to a press release, 43-year-old April Elick, of Bluefield, pleaded guilty to the theft of government money on June 2, 2025. She obtained $84,000 in COVID-19 loans through the Small Business Association (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, and used the funds for personal use. Elick is set to be sentenced on September 8, 2025, and faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, three years probation, and a $250,000 fine. She owes $97,802.59 in restitution, as well. Court documents and statements made in court stated that Elick received two Paycheck Protection Program loans (PPP) amounting to $14,520 in April 2021, after stating that the money was for her home healthcare business to cover payrolls and other expenses. She received an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) amounting to $61,000 through the CARES Act in January 2022, and also increased the COVID-19 business loan by $8,700 in April 2022, the release stated. As part of her plea, Elick confessed that she knew she could use the proceeds only for things outlined in CARES Act programs, the release noted. Elick also stated that she used funds for personal expenses, such as withdrawing $30,560, an estimated $16,350 in digital wallet transfers, and $8,290.11 in purchases made in West Virginia, North Carolina, and Virginia. The CARES Act allowed for forgivable PPP loans to be used for eligible for impacted businesses and sole proprietors, independent contractors, and self-employed individuals, the release stated. It also approved the SBA to provide EIDL loans of up to $2 million for eligible small businesses that were experiencing substantial financial struggles. Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston released the announcement and applauded the work of the WorkForce West Virginia Integrity Section, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Office of Inspector General (NASA OIG), the Litigation Financial Analyst with the U.S. Attorney's Office, and the West Virginia State Police — Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI). Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'As long as it takes': Shapiro says help for flood victims available, state will help region rebuild
GARRETT, Pa. – Debris piles from a May 13 flood were gone Tuesday as Gov. Josh Shapiro toured Garrett Field. But so was an eight-inch layer of infield playing surface that was swept away by floodwaters, Casselman Valley Youth Baseball coach Jeremy Hoover told him. "For our (kids), this is their PNC Park," said Hoover, estimating it could cost $30,000 to get it back into playing shape. Shapiro's response was consistent Tuesday, regardless of whether he was talking with Hoover at Garrett's Little League field, nearby bar owners or local residents in Meyersdale. Southern Somerset County will continue to have the state's unwavering support, he said, even as efforts from the flood are shifting from cleanup to reconstruction. "We're going to help you rebuild," Shapiro said. "We want to make sure folks are made whole, and then we're going to see what led to this flooding to see what we can do to mitigate future floods." More loans available Shapiro was joined on Tuesday's tour by Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency Director Randy Padfield, DCED Secretary Rick Siger and county officials. They also visited Dub's Bar and Grill in Garrett and Meyersdale Fire Department, with Shapiro speaking to dozens of local residents and community officials. He spent much of that time listening to residents, asking questions about damage and what it'll take to get their properties livable again. But he also announced several key support streams now available, including low-interest Small Business Administration loans and, separately, up to $20,000 Disaster Recovery Assistance Program grants, for income-eligible homeowners and renters. Designated flood-damaged Somerset County "disaster areas" from the May 13 flood are eligible for state help. For federal SBA disaster loans, contiguous counties can also apply for storm damage assistance. Flood relief help available The state has unlocked a series of disaster aid loan and grant programs for areas hard-hit by the May 13 flood. The Small Business Association Disaster Loan Program What: Provides low-interest loans for homeowners, renters, private non-profits, and businesses located in Somerset County and contiguous counties that sustained qualified damages from flooding. How: Up to $500,000 for homeowners to replace or repair their primary residences; $100,000 for homeowners and renters to replace or repair personal property; Up to $2 million to enable most businesses and most private non-profits to cover disaster losses not fully covered by insurance. Deadline: July 21, 2025. SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Designed for qualified businesses expense losses. Criteria: Deadline: February 23, 2026. Disaster Relief Assistance Program Income-eligible. Up to $20,000 grants can be used to repair their home, cover temporary housing and rental expenses, or replace essential personal property. Criteria: Deadline: Aug 25 Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) Where: Meyersdale Fire Station, 202 Main Street, Meyersdale What: Local residents and business owners can obtain information and application details on disaster loans. When: through June 9 Hours: Monday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm; Saturday 10 am to 2pm More info: SBA's Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing), or email DisasterCustomerService@ and referencing Pennsylvania Disaster Number PA-20019. Shapiro urged local residents and business owners that were impacted to apply. That included Dub's Bar and Grill co-owners Don Hostetler and Tammy Miller, who gave Shapiro a tour inside their flood-damaged Garrett bar. "This was 10 times worse than 1996 (flooding)," Miller said, describing how quickly water rose inside the century-old bar room. The pair hope to rebuild Dub's. Shapiro encouraged them to seek Small Business Administration help, noting that interest doesn't start accruing on those loans until a year after they are issued. "I'm so sorry for what you are going through," Shapiro said, talking with Hostetler and Miller near water-stained walls. 'We're going to do everything we can to help." 'Get this fixed' Miller also noted much of Pine and Walker streets in Garrett suffered a similar fate. Hostetler urged Shapiro's office to take a look at Buffalo Creek and its nearby stormwater retention pond, which residents believe failed when levels rose. "We can rebuild," Miller said. "But when will this happen again?" MS Shock Therapy owner Mark Smith, whose race car suspension shop was submerged in four feet of water, raised similar concerns about the Casselman River near Mount Davis Road. Smith lost an entire shop full of state-of-the-art stock car maintenance "stuff," he said, but even those things can be replaced. "My concern is that someone is going to get hurt ... or killed," Smith told Shapiro, saying it's a miracle no one died May 13. Shapiro said Smith and Miller raised important questions about issues that might have contributed to the region's flood damage. "Let us get you some answers," Shapiro said. Shapiro said a collaborative effort involving the Department of Environmental Protection, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other partners will look into possible flood control concerns – and what steps that might be possible to mitigate future issues. PennDOT, which developed the retention pond near Buffalo Creek, is also aware of community concerns, Somerset County Emergency Management Director Joel Landis added. That was encouraging for Miller, who said Garrett residents also were battered by flooding in 1996. "We can't keep going through this," she said. Shapiro said it was also possible some residents might need state support relocating from flood zones to avoid future flood risks. 'Important' partnership State officials under Shapiro – including PEMA – have been working with county officials since the day of the flood to support clean-up and relief efforts. That included setting up a relief center at Meyersdale's fire station. It will now remain open as a disaster loan assistance center until June 9, Shapiro said. Commissioners Pamela Tokar-Ickes and Irv Kimmel Jr. – and a number of residents – credited Shapiro for making a personal visit Tuesday to raise awareness about programs that can help rebuild southern Somerset County. They called state leaders valuable partners in that effort. State Sen. Patrick Stefano, R-Fayette, also joined Shapiro at Meyersdale's fire station resource center. Shapiro credited local efforts, as well as state staff from the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency for their ongoing work. But he also recognized he needed get a firsthand view to see if there's anything else his office can do to help. "I wanted to get the chance to see this damage with my own eyes, to get a better understanding ... what is needed," he said. Miller told Shapiro she was honored to meet him. The governor said the honor will be his, when he returns one day for Dub's grand-reopening. "Little towns" are just as important as Pennsylvania's biggest cities when disaster strikes, he said. "We'll be here as long as it takes to get folks of Somerset back on their feet," he said.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'As long as it takes': Shapiro says help for flood victims available; state will help region rebuild
GARRETT, Pa. – Debris piles from a May 13 flood were gone Tuesday as Gov. Josh Shapiro toured Garrett Field. But so was an eight-inch layer of infield playing surface that was swept away by floodwaters, Casselman Valley Youth Baseball League coach Jeremy Hoover told him. 'For our (kids), this is their PNC Park,' said Hoover, estimating it could cost $30,000 to get it back into playing shape. Shapiro's response was consistent Tuesday, regardless of whether he was talking with Hoover at Garrett's Little League field, nearby bar owners or local residents in Meyersdale. Southern Somerset County will continue to have the state's unwavering support, he said, even as efforts from the flood are shifting from cleanup to reconstruction. Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiro Visits Somerset County Flooding Areas Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (right) places his hand on the shoulder of Mark Smith, owner of MS Shock Therapy of Meyersdale, whose business was decimated by the May 13 flooding, as they discuss flood prevention efforts at a disaster relief center at Meyersdale Volunteer Fire Station in Somerset County on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. 'We're going to help you rebuild,' Shapiro said. 'We want to make sure folks are made whole, and then we're going to see what led to this flooding to see what we can do to mitigate future floods.' Shapiro was joined on Tuesday's tour by Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency Director Randy Padfield, DCED Secretary Rick Siger and county officials. They also visited Dub's Bar and Grill in Garrett and Meyersdale Fire Department, with Shapiro speaking to dozens of local residents and community officials. He spent much of that time listening to residents, asking questions about damage and what it'll take to get their properties livable again. But he also announced several key support streams now available, including low-interest Small Business Administration loans and, separately, up to $20,000 Disaster Recovery Assistance Program grants, for income-eligible homeowners and renters. Designated flood-damaged Somerset County 'disaster areas' from the May 13 flood are eligible for state help. For federal SBA disaster loans, contiguous counties can also apply for storm damage assistance. Flood relief help available The state has unlocked a series of disaster aid loan and grant programs for areas hard-hit by the May 13 flood. The Small Business Association Disaster Loan Program What: Provides low-interest loans for homeowners, renters, private non-profits, and businesses located in Somerset County and contiguous counties that sustained qualified damages from flooding. How: Up to $500,000 for homeowners to replace or repair their primary residences; $100,000 for homeowners and renters to replace or repair personal property; Up to $2 million to enable most businesses and most private non-profits to cover disaster losses not fully covered by insurance. Deadline: July 21, 2025. SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Designed for qualified businesses expense losses. Criteria: Deadline: February 23, 2026. Disaster Relief Assistance Program Income-eligible. Up to $20,000 grants can be used to repair their home, cover temporary housing and rental expenses, or replace essential personal property. Criteria: Deadline: Aug 25 Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) Where: Meyersdale Fire Station, 202 Main Street, Meyersdale What: Local residents and business owners can obtain information and application details on disaster loans. When: through June 9 Hours: Monday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm; Saturday 10 am to 2pm More info: SBA's Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing), or email DisasterCustomerService@ and referencing Pennsylvania Disaster Number PA-20019. Shapiro urged local residents and business owners that were impacted to apply. That included Dub's Bar and Grill co-owners Don Hostetler and Tammy Miller, who gave Shapiro a tour inside their flood-damaged Garrett bar. 'This was 10 times worse than 1996 (flooding),' Miller said, describing how quickly water rose inside the century-old bar room. The pair hope to rebuild Dub's. Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiro Visits Somerset County Flooding Areas Dub's Bar and Grill co-owners Don Hostetler (left) and Tammy Miller (center), siblings, share cell phone photographs with Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (right) depicting the damage caused by the May 13 flooding at their business on Pine Street in Garrett, Somerset County, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. Shapiro encouraged them to seek Small Business Administration help, noting that interest doesn't start accruing on those loans until a year after they are issued. 'I'm so sorry for what you are going through,' Shapiro said, talking with Hostetler and Miller near water-stained walls. 'We're going to do everything we can to help.' 'Get this fixed' Miller also noted much of Pine and Walker streets in Garrett suffered a similar fate. Hostetler urged Shapiro's office to take a look at Buffalo Creek and its nearby stormwater retention pond, which residents believe failed when levels rose. 'We can rebuild,' Miller said, 'but when will this happen again?' MS Shock Therapy owner Mark Smith, whose race car suspension shop was submerged in four feet of water, raised similar concerns about the Casselman River near Mount Davis Road. Smith lost an entire shop full of state-of-the-art stock car maintenance 'stuff,' he said, but even those things can be replaced. 'My concern is that someone is going to get hurt ... or killed,' Smith told Shapiro, saying it's a miracle no one died May 13. Shapiro said Smith and Miller raised important questions about issues that might have contributed to the region's flood damage. 'Let us get you some answers,' Shapiro said. Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiro Visits Somerset County Flooding Areas Surrounded by local and state officials, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (center) talks with Matt Donaldson (left), Casselman Valley Youth Baseball League treasurer, as they look over the damage, caused by the May 13 flooding, at Garrett Baseball Field in Somerset County on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. Shapiro said a collaborative effort involving the Department of Environmental Protection, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other partners will look into possible flood control concerns – and what steps that might be possible to mitigate future issues. PennDOT, which developed the retention pond near Buffalo Creek, is also aware of community concerns, Somerset County Emergency Management Director Joel Landis added. That was encouraging for Miller, who said Garrett residents also were battered by flooding in 1996. 'We can't keep going through this,' she said. Shapiro said it was also possible some residents might need state support relocating from flood zones to avoid future flood risks. 'Important' partnership State officials under Shapiro – including PEMA – have been working with county officials since the day of the flood to support clean-up and relief efforts. That included setting up a relief center at Meyersdale's fire station. It will now remain open as a disaster loan assistance center until June 9, Shapiro said. Commissioners Pamela Tokar-Ickes and Irv Kimmel Jr. – and a number of residents – credited Shapiro for making a personal visit Tuesday to raise awareness about programs that can help rebuild southern Somerset County. They called state leaders valuable partners in that effort. State Sen. Patrick Stefano, R-Fayette, also joined Shapiro at Meyersdale's fire station resource center. Shapiro credited local efforts, as well as state staff from the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency for their ongoing work. But he also recognized he needed get a firsthand view to see if there's anything else his office can do to help. 'I wanted to get the chance to see this damage with my own eyes, to get a better understanding ... what is needed,' he said. Miller told Shapiro she was honored to meet him. The governor said the honor will be his, when he returns one day for Dub's grand-reopening. 'Little towns' are just as important as Pennsylvania's biggest cities when disaster strikes, he said. 'We'll be here as long as it takes to get folks of Somerset back on their feet,' he said.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Small Business Administration providing aid for Arkansans affected by April storms
Video: Local organizing committee shares tips on how community can help first responders during disasters LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Small Business Administration (SBA) announced Friday that it is assisting small businesses, private nonprofits and residents affected by the April 2-22 storms. SBA officials said it will provide aid through low-interest disaster loans. The loans are available to residents of the following counties: Clark, Clay, Craighead, Crittenden, Desha, Fulton, Hot Spring, Jackson, Miller, Ouachita, Pulaski, Randolph, Saline, Sharp, St. Francis, and White. Tornadoes, winds, flooding and hail: Arkansas wakes up to disastrous severe storm damage SBA officials stated that homeowners and renters are eligible to apply for home and personal property loans up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property, including clothing, furniture, cars, and appliances. Homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residence. Applicants may be eligible for a loan increase of up to 20% of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements include insulating pipes, walls, and attics, weatherstripping doors & windows and installing storm windows to help protect property and occupants from future disasters. SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries or private nonprofits (PNPs) suffering disaster-related financial loss. SBA disaster loans are not available to agricultural producers, farmers or ranchers, except for aquaculture enterprises. A family in Bauxite hopes Trump's approval for financial aid in the April storms allows them to fully recover Officials said interest rates can be as low as 4% for small businesses, 3.62% for PNPs, and 2.75% for homeowners and renters, with terms of up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant's financial condition. To apply online, visit Applicants may also call SBA's Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@ for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services. A family in Bauxite hopes Trump's approval for financial aid in the April storms allows them to fully recover The deadline to return physical damage applications is July 21. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Feb. 23, 2026. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
USA Today
23-05-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
Who is Tiawana Brown? Charlotte councilwoman indicted on federal charges
Who is Tiawana Brown? Charlotte councilwoman indicted on federal charges Show Caption Hide Caption COVID fraud cases continue to grow In the darkest days of the COVID-19 pandemic, economic relief arrived in the form of government programs, but some people took advantage. Fox - 13 News A North Carolina grand jury has indicted a Charlotte City Council member on federal charges after prosecutors allege she used COVID relief funds to throw a $15,000 birthday party. Tiawana Brown, 53, was indicted alongside her daughters Tijema Brown, 30, and Antionette Rouse, 33, on charges of wire fraud conspiracy and wire fraud in connection with fraudulent applications filed to falsely obtain COVID pandemic relief funds, Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina announced in a May 22 news release. In a statement shared by Kristie Puckett, a lobbyist for NC Second Chance Alliance, on behalf of Brown characterized the indictment as a 'deliberate effort to interfere with her re-election and silence her voice." 'I am not here to be tried in the media,' Brown is quoted as saying in the statement. 'However, I must address the allegations against me by the United States District Court. I will have my day in court, and I trust the process.' Brown, who serves District 3 for the city, could not immediately be reached by USA TODAY. As of May 23, it was not immediately known whether Brown planned to resign from her city post. USA TODAY also contacted the city of Charlotte, its mayor and Brown's attorney. San Diego plane crash update: Who died? Who was injured? Everything we know so far Indictment: Tiawana Brown falsely obtained over $124,000 According to an indictment, from April 2020 through September 2021, the defendants conspired to execute a scheme to defraud the Small Business Administration's Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program and its Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), as well as obtain COVID relief funds for their alleged businesses by submitting loan applications with false information or false documentation. The fake documentation included "fraudulent tax forms, among other misrepresentation," the indictment alleges, and goes onto say the defendants submitted false statements to obtain forgiveness of the PPP loan. In all, the three defendants reportedly submitted at least 15 applications for EIDL or PPP funds and "falsely obtained at least $124,165 in connection with their scheme to defraud," according to the release. The indictment also alleges that the EIDL and PPP funds were deposited into bank accounts controlled by the defendants. Instead of using the pandemic relief funds to pay for qualifying expenses as purported in the loan applications, the defendants allegedly used the proceeds on personal expenses, including approximately $15,000 on a personal birthday party for Tiawana Brown. Who is Tiawana Brown? Brown won the general election to become a Charlotte councilmember in November 2023. Her current term ends in December. According to the city's website, Brown grew up in Charlotte, graduated from Myers Park High School and lives in the city with her daughter, Tijema Brown. Her other daughter, Rouse, lives in Atlanta. Brown attended Johnson C. Smith University and was a previous board member of the National Council for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls, in addition to being a featured speaker on Capitol Hill in 2017. What did Tiawana Brown previously go to prison for? According to her Facebook bio, Brown is the first "formerly incarcerated person elected to Charlotte City Council" and "a fierce defender of truth." Court records obtained by USA TODAY show Brown was indicted in July 1993 on fraud-related charges in the Western District of North Carolina. According to the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections, she served four years in prison in connection with the crime. Online federal court records show Brown and her daughters were given $25,000 bonds on May 23. If convicted, Brown and her daughters face up to 20 years in prison for each offense, prosecutors said. Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@ and follow her on X @nataliealund.
