Columbia, Missouri Woman Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - A Columbia, Mo., woman pleaded guilty in federal court today for her involvement in a fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan.

Lakeysha Day, 45, pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Willie J. Epps, Jr., to one count of wire fraud. In her plea agreement, Day admitted that she had completed and submitted a PPP loan application, falsely claiming that she was the sole proprietor of a business that had an average monthly payroll of $8,000. As a result of this application, a $20,000 wire transfer was issued on March 23, 2021. This successful prosecution is one of many federal fraud cases pursued under the leadership of President Donald Trump and through the establishment of the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud. Under federal statutes, Day is subject to a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren E. Kummerer. It was investigated by the Veterans Administration Office of Inspector General.

National Fraud Enforcement Division

On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division ("Fraud Division"). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department's work to combat fraud supports President Trump's Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.