FBI seeks woman wanted for $34M COVID-19 fraud scheme

The FBI’s Miami field office on Wednesday sought a Palm Beach County, Fla., woman wanted for her alleged role in a fraud scheme that netted $34 million in COVID-19 relief funds. Elaine Angene Escoe, 40, failed to appear for a scheduled court date on June 5, the office said. She was last spotted in her home county two days earlier. The FBI first released a wanted notice for Escoe nearly a week ago.

Escoe and five other people allegedly submitted more than 90 fraudulent applications for relief money under the Paycheck Protection Program, Economic Injury Disaster Loans, and other programs. They are accused of lying about employee counts, payroll expenses, and business revenues, according to the Department of Justice. The group allegedly submitted falsified IRS tax documents and fabricated bank statements to back up their applications, the department said.

What charges does Escoe face? She is federally charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, wire fraud, concealment of money laundering, and transactional money laundering, according to the FBI.

Dig deeper: Read Lauren Canterberry’s report on the sentencing of a member of a separate $17 million COVID-19 fraud scheme.