Brooklyn Woman Receives Sentence For INSANE Pandemic Fraud Scheme

Lewis, who was employed at a call center as part of a New York program designed to provide isolation rooms in hotels for health care workers, was found guilty of exploiting her position for personal gain.

According to prosecutors, Lewis provided free hotel rooms to individuals who were not eligible health care workers or COVID-19 patients, including herself. "During the pandemic, this defendant exploited a COVID-19 safe-lodging program for her personal profit; today she faces the consequences of her criminal conduct," stated Jocelyn Strauber, New York Department of Investigation Commissioner.

This case is the latest in a series of fraudulent activities that have seen an estimated $280 billion in government aid stolen across the U.S. during the pandemic. Lewis's sentencing is part of a larger case involving $400,000 of fraud within the hotel program.

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The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York confirmed that Lewis had confessed to defrauding the emergency programs. In addition, she was found guilty of forging legal documents, allegedly from judges, prosecutors, and doctors, to secure public housing or larger public housing apartments for 30 individuals.

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February 10, 2024

The Department of Investigation Statement revealed that Lewis, along with three co-defendants, used stolen personal information from actual health care workers to secure hotel rooms. These rooms were then advertised on Facebook for rent. The co-defendants in the case have also confessed to obtaining unemployment benefits in multiple states and fraudulent small business loans.

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Attempts to contact a lawyer involved in a plea deal in the case were unsuccessful, and it remains unclear whether this lawyer currently represents Lewis. Requests for updated contact information from prosecutors and investigators have not yet been answered.

In addition to her probation, Lewis has been ordered to forfeit $290,000 and pay an additional $360,000 in penalties. Her co-defendants have received lesser sentences or are still awaiting sentencing.