(WNY News Now) – Buffalo – A Baltimore woman faces up to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud involving fraudulent COVID-19 relief loans, totaling over $1.5 million.
Nina M. Williams, 56, of Baltimore, Maryland, has pleaded guilty to wire fraud charges linked to a large-scale Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) fraud scheme, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross. The charges stem from fraudulent loan applications Williams submitted during the COVID-19 pandemic, seeking over $2.6 million in federal relief.
Court records reveal that Williams filed false PPP loan applications on behalf of two businesses, Nimiche Inc. and Nimiche Interiors Inc., claiming exaggerated payroll expenses and employee counts. In May 2020, Williams secured a $97,500 loan, followed by another loan for $432,960 in April 2021, from a Buffalo bank and a mortgage lending company. However, instead of using the funds to retain workers as required, Williams diverted the money for personal use, including purchasing real estate in Maryland.
Between May 2020 and May 2021, Williams, in coordination with others, submitted additional fraudulent loan applications, ultimately obtaining $1.5 million in PPP and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) funds. Her fraudulent actions were exposed following investigations by multiple federal agencies, including the IRS and FBI.
Williams is scheduled for sentencing on December 18, 2024, before Senior U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny. She faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
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