LANSING – Yesterday, Tiesha Johnson, 56, formerly of Farmington Hills, was sentenced before Judge Michael Warren in the 6th Circuit Court in Oakland County to an eleven-month delayed sentence for fraudulently obtaining Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loans and an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) from the federal government, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Under the terms of the delayed sentence, Johnson, a former analyst for the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives who pled no contest to three counts of False Pretenses, $1,000-$20,000, must pay $34,675 in restitution and be monitored for the next eleven months. She will return to court on September 10, 2025, to ensure that the terms of the delayed sentence have been followed. 

"The financial relief provided to businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic was a lifeline for countless Michigan residents," said Nessel at the time the defendant pled. "I am grateful to the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Inspector General for referring this matter to my office and allowing us to hold Ms. Johnson accountable for defrauding these essential loan programs.

In July 2022, the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Inspector General referred the matter to the Michigan Department of Attorney General and requested an investigation into potential federal loan fraud. Johnson does not contest that she fraudulently obtained two PPP loans and one EIDL advance totaling $34,675 while a federal employee. PPP Loans were meant to cover payroll expenses for businesses during the height of precautions against the COVID-19 pandemic. Johnson was arrested in Dallas, TX, pursuant to warrants from the Department of Attorney General, transported back to Michigan and arraigned in December 2023. 

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