CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced that a Cook County woman was sentenced to pay more than $20,000 in restitution for fraudulently applying for a loan and loan forgiveness through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Rachel Jordan, 34, of Chicago was sentenced by Cook County Circuit Court Judge Sophia Atcherson, after pleading guilty to a Class 2 felony charge of loan fraud. Along with restitution, Jordan was sentenced to 24 months of second chance probation. If she does not pay the full restitution by the end of her probation, Jordan could face jail time.
“Federal assistance programs were vital for the survival of countless small businesses during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Raoul said. “I will continue to ensure taxpayers receive justice when individuals exploit critical aid programs to benefit themselves and their bank accounts.”
The case was referred to the Attorney General’s office by the Office of Executive Inspector General.
Jordan was employed by the Illinois Department of Human Corrections when she fraudulently applied for and received a PPP loan totaling approximately $20,832 in March 2021. Jordan also applied for and received loan forgiveness for the loan.
This plea is the most recent action Attorney General Raoul has taken to hold individuals accountable for fraudulently collecting government assistance related to the pandemic. Raoul’s office has prosecuted several individuals for PPP loan fraud and referred other investigations to the appropriate state’s attorneys for further evaluation.
Assistant Attorney General Tori Whitman prosecuted the case for Raoul’s Criminal Prosecutions and Trials Assistance Bureau.
