In Montgomery, Alabama, the U.S. Department of Justice has reported that Tametria Conner Dantzler, a 39-year-old woman, has pleaded guilty to charges of wire fraud and money laundering. Dantzler has been accused of stealing almost $2 million from the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, both of which are federal government COVID-19 relief programs.
According to United States Attorney Jonathan S. Ross, government fraud is not a crime that doesn’t have any victims. He stated that when there is a financial loss to the United States, it ultimately results in losses for the U.S. taxpayers. Ross affirmed that with the help of law enforcement partners, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work towards identifying and bringing to justice anyone who personally gains from funds that were intended to provide relief for businesses.
According to Dantzler’s plea agreement and court records, she provided false information while applying for EIDL loans in June 2020. She established various companies, including Conner Consulting LLC, and misrepresented that these companies fulfilled the program’s requirements for EIDL loans. Consequently, Dantzler received around $927,338.47 in grants and forgivable loans that she did not qualify for, as per the Department of Justice (DOJ). Additionally, she helped others get $1,049,864 in grants and forgivable loans by accepting fees or exchanging phony “payroll checks,” for which she was not entitled, the DOJ stated.
In her confession, Dantzler acknowledged that she utilized a portion of the funds to purchase a house and settle a vehicle loan.
Tametria Dantzler, formerly known as Tametria Conner during her time as an on-air reporter for WSFA 12 News from 2011-14, has since founded a non-profit organization called D.A.T.S.M.O.M. The acronym stands for “Disability as an Ability Toward Success: Moms on the Move,” and the organization is dedicated to supporting families with children on the autism spectrum.
On July 3, the social media page of the non-profit organization announced that Dantzler would be taking a break. The announcement simply stated that he would be on hiatus.
“Effective immediately, in order to focus on her family, D.A.T.S.M.O.M. Founder Tametria Conner Dantzler will take a hiatus from direct services and programs that involve her presence which include, but is not limited to trainings, speaking engagements and the respite care program. “
According to Acting Special Agent-in-Charge George Richardson with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, Tametria Dantzler created a fraudulent scheme and falsified documents to divert taxpayer money intended to help struggling businesses during the pandemic for her own financial gain. He emphasized that HUD OIG is determined to collaborate with law enforcement agencies and prosecutors to pursue those who threaten the integrity of HUD programs.
According to Demetrius Hardeman, the Special Agent in Charge at the IRS Criminal Investigation, Atlanta Field Office, those who have cheated the COVID-19 relief programs should take notice of the increasing number of individuals being held accountable for their actions in the justice system. Hardeman stated that the IRS Criminal Investigation special agents, in collaboration with law enforcement partners, are constantly launching fresh investigations on individuals who have misused COVID-19 relief funds for their own personal gain, instead of utilizing them to support struggling businesses.
Dantzler could potentially receive a 20-year sentence in federal prison, in addition to being ordered to provide restitution to her victims. The date for her sentencing hearing has not yet been determined.
