Blythewood woman sentenced for coronavirus relief-related fraud.

• Position: Bridgett Dorsey

A Blythewood woman has been sentenced to two years in federal prison after pleading guilty to receiving more than $1.2 million in fraudulent coronavirus relief fund loans.

Bridgett Dorsey, 39, received $1.25 million by way of seven Economic Injury Disaster loans and two Paycheck Protect Program loans, along with two EIDL cash advances, for seven business for which she was the alleged owner. According to U.S. Attorney Corey F. Ellis' office, Dorsey submitted applications containing materially false information, including inflated business revenues and employee numbers as well as addresses where business did not exist. In some cases, Dorsey submitted false documentation or created businesses for the sole purpose of obtaining the loans, according to a news release from Ellis' office.

Dorsey's sentence is the first in the District of South Carolina for a fraud case involving the $2.2 trillion coronavirus relief fund passed in March 2020. Dorsey also pleaded guilty to committing tax fraud.

"The defendant in this case not only stole from the federal government and engaged in tax fraud, but she prevented funds from reaching the hands of those who needed it the most. That this occurred during a pandemic makes her crimes particularly egregious," Ellis said in the release. "This case highlights the Department of Justice's commitment to prosecuting those who illegally take advantage of COVID-19 to line their own pockets. Fortunately, the quick and capable work of our federal partners permitted the recovery of a substantial amount of stolen funds."

Small business received more than $640 billion in forgivable PPP loans to apply to expenses including payroll, mortgage interest, rent, and utilities, while the EIDL program provided low-interest loans for items such as accounts payable and other bills.

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