ONE EMPLOYEE AND ONE CHICAGO RESIDENT PLEAD GUILTY IN PANDEMIC RELIEF FRAUD SCHEME
September 29, 2026 | Investigative Summaries
An Amtrak Assistant Passenger Conductor, of Bourbonnais, Illinois and Kayla Williamson, of Chicago, Illinois pleaded guilty on September 15, 2026, and September 29, 2026, respectively, in U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois, to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud.
Our investigation found that these defendants, along with 12 co-defendants, submitted false information to the Small Business Administration and its participating lenders to receive Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) advances, Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, and PPP loan forgiveness. As a result of the scheme, the employee received $12,125 and Williamson received $9,000 to which they were not entitled.
Judicial proceedings for five additional codefendants are ongoing.