An Augusta postal worker was sentenced to 32 months in prison for defrauding a pandemic relief program.
Kameka Bausley, 43, pleaded guilty to wire fraud, according to a release from U.S. Attorney Jill E. Steinberg. U.S. District Court Judge Dudley H. Bowen ordered Bausley to pay $71,933 in restitution and to serve three years of supervised release upon completion of her prison term, the release said. There is no parole in the federal system.
“Congress provided more than $600 billion in funding to help small businesses struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Steinberg said. “Unfortunately, that level of funding also attracted scam artists. With our law enforcement partners, we will continue to hold accountable those who illegally profit from safety net programs.”
Bausley was a U.S. Postal Service employee collecting workers compensation benefits when she fabricated revenue and expense information about a catering business. She used the information to apply for a disaster loan and Paycheck Protection Program funding, ultimately receiving $71,933 through the two CARES Act programs.
According to the criminal information filed in the case, Bausley operated businesses known as “Meek Meeks Treats” and “Meek-Meek’s Meals & Tipsy Treats” out of her home. On loan applications, she claimed the businesses grossed more than $200,000 in the year prior to Jan. 31, 2020. Bausley also claimed to own a transportation business, submitting a fraudulent IRS form, to obtain another loan.
“This sentencing underlines our dedication to holding people accountable who exploit federal relief programs for personal gain,” said Jonathan Ulrich, special agent in charge of the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General and prosecuted by Southern District Assistant U.S. Attorney George J.C. Jacobs III.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud hotline at 866-720-5721 or via its web complaint form.
