PORTLAND, Maine — A Maine woman who falsely claimed to own a beauty salon to get COVID-19 pandemic relief program funds has pleaded guilty to wire fraud, the U.S. Attorney said Monday.
Meghan Martell, 33, of Kennebunk, pleaded guilty to the federal charge in U.S. District Court in Portland on Monday, U.S. Attorney Darcie McElwee said in a statement.
Prosecutors said Martell stole $20,806 in Paycheck Protection Program funds by falsely claiming to own a beauty salon.
According to court records, in April 2021, Martell submitted an application to a California lender for a loan from the Paycheck Protection Program.
Martell falsely stated on the application that she was the sole proprietor of a beauty salon with a gross income in 2019 of $99,870, prosecutors said. She also submitted fraudulent documentation in support of the application, including a false tax form.
The California lender transferred $20,806 in PPP funds to Martell’s bank account in Maine.
Martell faces up to 20 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000, followed by up to three years of supervised release.
The IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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