BALTIMORE, MD (April 21, 2023) – Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today announced the conviction of Chinita Richardson, 58, of Landover for the theft of her biological son’s identity and Covid-19 loan fraud. Richardson pleaded guilty in the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County to Theft Over $100,000, Theft Between $1,500 and $25,000, and Identity Fraud Between $25,000 and $100,000. The Honorable Judge C. Philip Nichols Jr. sentenced Richardson to 10 years of incarceration, all suspended, 18 months of home detention, and five years of supervised probation. Richardson was ordered to pay $271,632 in restitution.
Between January of 2018 and June of 2020, Richardson assumed the identity of her biological son without his knowledge or permission in order to secure student loans for her benefit.
In May of 2020, Richardson obtained a Payroll Protection Program loan designed to assist businesses affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. In order to obtain the loan, she falsely reported the monthly payroll expenses of her business. Later in August of 2020, Richardson obtained a Covid-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan. In order to obtain the loan, she falsely reported the gross sales and expenses of her business. The proceeds Richardson received from both loans were used for personal purchases and not for legitimate business purposes.
Attorney General Brown thanked the Fraud and Corruption Unit, specifically investigator auditor Amy Amy who investigated the case and Assistant Attorney General Alexander Huggins who prosecuted the case.
Between January of 2018 and June of 2020, Richardson assumed the identity of her biological son without his knowledge or permission in order to secure student loans for her benefit.
In May of 2020, Richardson obtained a Payroll Protection Program loan designed to assist businesses affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. In order to obtain the loan, she falsely reported the monthly payroll expenses of her business. Later in August of 2020, Richardson obtained a Covid-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan. In order to obtain the loan, she falsely reported the gross sales and expenses of her business. The proceeds Richardson received from both loans were used for personal purchases and not for legitimate business purposes.
Attorney General Brown thanked the Fraud and Corruption Unit, specifically investigator auditor Amy Amy who investigated the case and Assistant Attorney General Alexander Huggins who prosecuted the case.