TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on Jun 22, 2022

Two individuals from East Tennessee have been accused of fraud in the federal Paycheck Protection Loan Program, Tennessee Lookout reports. Leslie Danielle Bethea of Surgionsville has been indicted on wire fraud and money laundering. Prosecutors argue she fabricated a fake business and used the funds instead to get plastic surgery in Florida. She also allegedly lied on her application by failing to note she was previously convicted of fraud. In addition, Antonio Dewayne Menifee of Chattanooga has been accused of submitting fake forms to garner a loan for a nonexistent construction firm. When law enforcement searched his home they found cocaine and a stolen gun. He previously was convicted of conspiracy to sell cocaine and guns. Both Bethea and Menifee are behind bars. Federal officials say the cases are typical of the “epic swindle” they are finding in the loan program.