The former state prosecutor was indicted on one count of wire fraud and two counts of engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from illegal activity.
DALLAS — A former Dallas County Assistant District Attorney is accused of defrauding the Paycheck Protection Program, federal officials say.
Thelma Marshell Anderson, a 37-year-old former prosecutor, was indicted March 21 on one count of wire fraud and two counts of engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from unlawful activity. She made her initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Rebecca Rutherford on Monday.
Despite a Dallas County DA’s Office prohibition against outside employment without authorization, Anderson allegedly ran a clothing boutique she called Thelma Lou LLC based in Irving, according to the indictment.
Anderson allegedly submitted a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan application for Thelma Lou Feb. 4, 2021, that misrepresented the company’s payroll and gross sales information, officials say.
In the loan application, she allegedly claimed the company had average monthly payroll expenses of $8,237 and gross sales of $142,773 and attached a phony IRS Form 1040, Schedule C, in support of the claim, federal officials say. In reality, officials say the business had no payroll expenses and a meager income.’
Once the $20,817 PPP loan hit her account, Anderson transferred the money into and out of various accounts and ultimately allegedly used it for personal expenses, including food, rent and entertainment, according to a news release.
In an Oct. 4, 2021 application to have the PPP loan forgiven, the indictment alleges, she falsely claimed she spent $17,500 of the original loan on payroll costs. The full amount of the loan was subsequently forgiven, according to officials.
If convicted, Anderson faces up to 40 years in federal prison.
Other headlines: