A former Farmington Hills woman and investigator for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has been accused of fraudulently obtaining funds from federal government programs. She was recently extradited from Dallas, Texas to Oakland County for arraignment.
Tiesha Johnson, 55, is charged with three felony counts of false pretenses – $1,000-$20,000 for allegedly making bogus claims and receiving money from the Paycheck Protection Program Loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans. Each crime is punishable by up to five years in prison.
It’s alleged Johnson fraudulently obtained three loans totaling $34,675 while a federal employee. Two were PPP loans, intended for payroll expense coverage for businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The other was an EIDL, intended to help small businesses recover from economic impacts endured during the pandemic.
Johnson allegedly had a business but no employees or payroll expenses.
“Defrauding your country, your neighbors, and your fellow Americans, during a time of global crisis for your own financial gain cannot be tolerated,” Attorney General Dana Nessel stated in a news release. “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.”
At Johnson’s arraignment, Magistrate Brandy Hart set a personal bond of $25,000, meaning no cash or surety had to be posted to keep her out of jail. Johnson’s next court date is scheduled for Jan. 3, 2024 before 47th District Judge James Brady.
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