37-year-old Thelma Marshell Anderson, an ex-Dallas County Assistant District Attorney, is said to have defrauded the Paycheck Protection Program.
On March 21, Anderson was indicted on one count of wire fraud and two counts of engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from unlawful activity.
On Monday, she made her first court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Rebecca Rutherford.
Anderson is said to have operated a clothing boutique identified as Thelma Lou LLC based in Irving. This was although the Dallas County DA’s office has a prohibition against outside employment that isn’t authorized.
Anderson is accused of submitting a PPP loan application for Thelma Lou in February 2021 that was fraudulent in regards to the company’s payroll and gross sales details.
The loan application alleged that Anderson’s company had a monthly payroll expense of $8,237 and $142,773 in gross sales. This was accompanied with a fake IRS Form 1040 and Schedule C. However, officials noted that the company didn’t have payroll expenses, and the income was much smaller.
When the PPP funds were in her account, Anderson transferred the money into and out of other accounts and later is said to have used it for personal expenses, including food, lodging, and entertainment.
On October 4, 2021, Anderson requested to have the PPP loan forgiven. She had falsely noted that she spent $17,500 of the original loan for payroll costs. Ultimately, the entire amount of the loan was forgiven.
Anderson could receive up to 40 years in federal prison if she is found guilty.
