Lansing, Mi - Early last week, Tiesha Johnson, 56, formerly of Farmington Hills, waived her right to a preliminary examination and was bound over to stand trial in the 6th Circuit Court in Oakland County on charges of fraudulently obtaining Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) from the federal government, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.
Johnson, a former investigator for the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, was arrested in Dallas, TX, pursuant to warrants from the Department of Attorney General and transported back to Michigan and arraigned in December 2023.
In July 2022, the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Inspector General referred the matter to the Michigan Department of Attorney General and requested an investigation into potential federal loan fraud. It is alleged Johnson fraudulently obtained two PPP loans and one EID Loan totaling $34,675 while a federal employee. PPP Loans were meant to cover payroll expenses for businesses during the height of precautions against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Johnson is charged with three counts of False Pretenses, $1,000-$20,000. Each offense is a five-year felony.
“These federal loan programs were meant to keep businesses afloat amid the international pandemic,” said Nessel when announcing charges last December. “Defrauding your country, your neighbors, and your fellow Americans during a time of global crisis for your own financial gain cannot be tolerated. The State of Michigan saw millions of dollars fraudulently taken from these programs, and my office remains committed to rooting out and prosecuting the fraudsters and scammers responsible.”
Johnson will next appear before Judge Michael Warren in the 6th Circuit Court on May 8th at 1 p.m.