After a two-day trial, a federal jury has found Kisha Sutton, 44, from Jersey City, New Jersey, guilty of aiding and abetting bank fraud and laundering of monetary instruments. The verdict was reached on July 15, 2025.
The court heard evidence that Sutton and co-defendant Shamiese Wright collaborated to secure a fraudulent $15,625 Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP) loan for Wright. This loan was guaranteed by the Small Business Administration under the CARES Act. As part of their scheme, Sutton received $3,000 from the fraudulent loan proceeds.
Sutton submitted the PPP loan application for Wright on April 19, 2021. The application falsely claimed that Wright was self-employed with a gross income of $75,000 in 2020. However, it was revealed during the trial that Wright had never earned this amount and had been receiving unemployment benefits in 2020. The IRS Form 1040 attached to the application was also found to be fraudulent.
A lender in Florida approved Wright’s application, depositing $15,625 into her account in Charleston on May 7, 2021. Subsequently, Wright transferred $3,000 to Sutton using a digital wallet app while attempting to conceal the source of these funds through misleading transfer descriptions.
The CARES Act aimed to support sole proprietors and self-employed individuals affected by COVID-19 by providing forgivable loans to replace lost income or cover eligible expenses.
Sentencing for Sutton is set for November 13, 2025. She faces up to 50 years in prison and will owe restitution as determined by the court.
Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston stated: “The CARES Act offered emergency assistance to struggling small businesses that were impacted by the pandemic. The defendant chose to exploit that lifeline for personal enrichment.”
Johnston praised investigative efforts by several agencies including the FBI and West Virginia State Police – Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
Several other individuals have been indicted in connection with this case involving fraudulent PPP loans totaling $140,625. Shamiese Wright pleaded guilty on July 14 and awaits sentencing on October 29; William Powell will be sentenced on August 14; Damisha Brown is scheduled for sentencing on October 2; Jasmine Spencer will be sentenced on August 21 after pleading guilty earlier this year.
Judge Irene C. Berger presided over the trial with Assistant U.S Attorneys Jonathan T Storage and Jennifer D Gordon prosecuting alongside former Assistant U.S Attorney Holly Wilson.
Those aware of COVID-19-related fraud are encouraged to report it via hotline or online form provided by Department Of Justice’s National Center For Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or NCDF Web Complaint Form respectively
Further information about this case can be accessed through PACERLinks searching Case No:2:24-cr-192
