A St. John, Indiana couple and an Arkansas woman are facing a federal indictment as part of a fraud ring that allegedly netted more than $2 million in COVID relief funds.
Charleasa Johnson, Micah Franklin and Ebony Wilson were each indicted by a grand jury on April 14 in the U.S. District Court of Northern Indiana with conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
Johnson and Franklin, her husband, both of St. John, are also charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering.
“Obviously, I need to see the discovery (evidence),” lawyer Michael Ettinger, who is representing Johnson and Franklin, said Thursday. “These are serious charges. They are presumed innocent.”
James A. Edgar, of Indianapolis, who is representing Wilson, of Jonesboro, Arkansas, was not immediately available for comment.
Another court hearing is scheduled May 5.
Federal prosecutors allege from February 2021 to January 2022, Johnson filled out 80 false applications and tax documents for Paycheck Protection Program loans in exchange for “kickbacks” up to $5,000 per application – often through money exchange apps. Franklin and Wilson help recruit others for the scheme.
In total, Johnson defrauded the government of $300,000, Frankin of $100,000 and Wilson of $40,000, documents allege.