Woman Guilty of Fraud: Obtained $465,489 in COVID-19 Relief Funds

Jane Batista admitted to submitting fraudulent PPP loan applications and laundering the funds for personal use.

NEWARK, N.J. - Jane Batista, 43, of Lake Worth, Florida, pleaded guilty today to charges of wire fraud and money laundering for fraudulently obtaining $465,489 in COVID-19 relief funding, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced. Batista entered her plea before U.S. District Judge Evelyn Padin in Newark federal court.

From April 2020 to August 2021, Batista submitted false Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan applications on behalf of herself, her husband, and two businesses they operated. The fraudulent applications included false claims about the number of employees, income, and revenue. Batista also forged supporting documents, including fake tax returns. After receiving the loans, she used the funds for personal expenses and made several significant transfers, including one for $15,000.

The wire fraud charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, while the money laundering charge carries up to 10 years. Both counts also carry a maximum fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greater. Sentencing is set for March 18, 2025.

The investigation was conducted by special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, the Social Security Administration's Office of the Inspector General, the FBI, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert Taj Moore and Aaron L. Webman.

The District of New Jersey COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Strike Force, part of a nationwide initiative by the U.S. Department of Justice, played a key role in this case. The strike force aims to investigate and prosecute large-scale pandemic relief fraud, including transnational criminal efforts. Reports of suspected COVID-19 fraud can be made to the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.