McCordsville woman to be sentenced for Paycheck Protection Program fraud

Submitted by U.S. Attorney’s Office

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana has announced one sentencing as part of a nationwide enforcement action led by the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division, the Small Business Administration, and the SBA Office of Inspector General targeting fraud in the SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The Southern District of Indiana was a key participant in this surge effort.

From June 12 to Sept. 1, federal prosecutors across the country facilitated fraud enforcement actions spanning over 160 criminal defendants, including approximately 80 newly charged defendants, reaching approximately $245 million in intended loss to American taxpayers.

In the Southern District of Indiana, U.S. Attorney Tom Wheeler announced that Sandra Pierce, 42, McCordsville, has petitioned the court to plead guilty to two counts of wire fraud for PPP-related fraud involving approximately $632,905 in losses.

According to court documents, Pierce was the sole owner of a business called Sandy’s on the Run and purported to help individuals and businesses obtain COVID-19 relief program loans. In that position, she executed a wire fraud scheme by drafting and submitting 22 fraudulent COVID-19 relief loan applications under the names of others in exchange for more than $100,000 from clients. Additionally, she submitted applications in her own name and received $48,191 from the government. The total loss was approximately $632,905.

This case is being prosecuted by U.S. Postal Services – Office of Inspector General. Pierce faces up to 20 years in federal prison per count. A sentencing hearing will be set by a U.S. District Court Judge at a later date.

On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement 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.