New Orleans, Louisiana - A 28-year-old LaPlace, Louisiana resident, Munira Schofield, has been sentenced to four years of probation, with 12 months to be served on home confinement, for her role in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud. This conspiracy involved submitting fraudulent applications for loans related to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).

Schofield pleaded guilty to the charges, which stemmed from her involvement in a scheme to obtain money from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster (EIDL) loans. She, along with her mother, Lynn Schofield, and brother, Bashir Schofield, submitted false applications, misrepresenting business ownership and income to secure the loans.

According to court documents, the trio submitted at least one loan application each, falsely claiming to own sole proprietorships that generated substantial income. In reality, the businesses either did not exist or earned significantly less than reported. They also misrepresented their intentions, stating that the loan proceeds would be used for business purposes when, in fact, they planned to use the money for personal reasons.

Schofield specifically submitted a fraudulent application for an EIDL loan for a business she claimed to own, called "Just Jocin." Alongside her mother, she provided false material information to the Small Business Administration, including grossly inflating monthly gross receipts to support additional loans. Some of the resulting funds were used for personal gain.

United States District Judge Eldon E. Fallon ordered Schofield to pay over $219,000 in restitution and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. Her mother and brother were convicted separately for their respective roles in the offense.

The CARES Act was enacted to provide economic assistance to individuals and businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.