Tallassee woman sentenced for wire fraud, money laundering

A woman from Tallassee has been sentenced to nine and a half years in prison after being convicted for wire fraud and money laundering charges related to funds received through the Restaurant Revitalization Fund program or RRF. 

The RRF is a program by the Small Business Administration (SBA) that provides financial assistance to eligible restaurants that were affected by COVID. 

An announcement from U.S. Attorney Kevin Davidson stated that Michelle Denise McIntyre, 34, admitted in a plea agreement to applying for the program in 2021 and falsely claiming to owning a catering business. 

She received $131,478.76 and reportedly spent money on unauthorized expenses such as a vehicle. 

“Fraud committed against federal programs is fraud against the American taxpayer,” said Davidson. “I commend the investigative agencies for their diligent work in this case. My office will continue to do its part in prosecuting those who seek easy profit at the expense of every hard-working United States citizen.”

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She also admitted to applying Paycheck Protection Program Loans, Economic Injury Disaster Loans and Advances, and additional RRF funds. SBA reportedly lost more than $700,000 and may have lost as much as $14 million if all of the applications had been funded. 

“Exploiting SBA’s Restaurant Revitalization Fund and COVID relief programs for personal gain is a serious offense that diverts critical resources away from legitimate small businesses in need,” said SBA OIG’s Eastern Region Special Agent in Charge Amaleka McCall-Brathwaite. “I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and our law enforcement partners for their dedication and pursuit of justice.”

McIntyre will be on three years of supervised release after serving her term. 

“Five years after the enactment of the CARES Act, individuals who defrauded the programs intended to help Americans are still being held accountable,” said Special Agent in Charge Demetrius Hardeman, IRS Criminal Investigation, Atlanta Field Office. “IRS Criminal Investigation special agents, law enforcement partners, and the U.S. Attorney’s office will continue their aggressive pursuit of those who defrauded the programs under the CARES Act.”