July 2, 2025 Your Source for Brentwood News

Mid-City Woman Sentenced to Five Years for $2M COVID-19 Relief Fraud

Woman Fraudulently Obtained Pandemic Relief Loans, IRS Tax Credits 

Casie Hynes, 39, was sentenced Thursday by U.S. District Judge Hernán D. Vera, who also ordered her to pay $2,376,168 in restitution. Hynes pleaded guilty in April 2024 to one count of wire fraud and one count of false claims. 

She was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison after fraudulently obtaining more than $2 million in COVID-19 relief loans and attempting to claim an additional $1.3 million in pandemic-related tax credits, the U.S. Department of Justice announced.

Between June 2020 and December 2021, Hynes submitted over 80 fraudulent applications for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), using the names of approximately 20 companies, many of which did not exist or had no legitimate business operations.

Hynes used stolen personal information and forged signatures to submit the bogus applications, falsely claiming inflated numbers of employees, payroll expenses, and business ownership details. She also fabricated tax documents and bank statements to support her claims.

Federal agencies, including banks and the Small Business Administration (SBA), approved many of her fraudulent applications, depositing $2.25 million in relief funds into accounts controlled by Hynes, which she then used for personal expenses.

“The defendant exploited a crisis to line her own pockets, diverting vital relief funds from businesses that needed the money,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph McNally. “The sentence imposed today sends a message to others that you will be held accountable if you steal government relief funds.”

In addition to the loan fraud, Hynes attempted to secure $1.25 million in COVID-19 tax credits from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) between May 2021 and April 2022.

She submitted 12 fraudulent tax forms on behalf of Nasty Womxn Project LLC, She Suite Ventures, and Casie Hynes Consulting, falsely claiming to have paid employee wages that never existed. The IRS denied all of her fraudulent refund requests.

The IRS Criminal Investigation unit led the probe into Hynes’ fraudulent schemes, resulting in her arrest and conviction. Her sentencing is part of the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force, established by the U.S. Attorney General in May 2021, which works to investigate and prosecute domestic and international fraud linked to pandemic relief programs.

Anyone with information about COVID-19 relief fraud can report it to the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the Justice Department’s fraud reporting website at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud.

in News
Related Posts

(Video) Los Angeles County Supervisor from the 2nd district, Holly J. Mitchel, Gives a Powerful Speech

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

Supervisor Mitchell Called on Residents to take action at the rally for Ambrocio “Enrique” Lozano in Culver City.

Top Military Commander Urges Return of Troops Deployed to ICE Protest Response

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

General Requests 200 National Guard Soldiers Be Returned to California Wildfire Unit The senior U.S. military officer overseeing federal forces...

Second Victim Killed Alongside LAPD Sergeant in Brentwood 405 Crash Identified

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

Authorities Confirm Garcia, 34, Died at the Scene, GoFundMe Launched  Authorities have identified the civilian who was killed alongside a...

The Westside Lights Up for July 4: Fireworks, Drone Shows, and Parades Return Across West Los Angeles

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

From Marina Del Rey’s Fireworks to Culver City’s 1980s-Themed Drone Show, Get Ready to Celebrate From fireworks over Marina del...

(Video) Culver City Residents and City and County Leaders Rally for Disappeared Ice Cream Man Ambrocio “Enrique” Lozano

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

US Representative for California’s 37th Congressional District, Sydney Kamlager-Dove Speaks About What is happening to the disappeared.

City Issues Determination That Could Clear Way for Barry Building Demolition

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

Preservation Deemed Infeasible Due to Economic and Social Factors The historic Barry Building on San Vicente Boulevard may soon face...

Historic Sawtelle Nursery Site Could Become 40-Unit Townhome Complex

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

Sawtelle Continues to Change as Nursery Site Faces Redevelopment Plans have been submitted to redevelop a nursery site, F.K. Nursery,...

Drake Slashes Price on Beverly Hills Estate to $79 Million Amid Market Slowdown

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

Price Cut Adds to a Broader Retreat From His Los Angeles Real Estate Holdings. Musician Drake has reduced the price...

Iranian Pastor in West L.A. Speaks as Church Rocked by Immigration Raids 

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

Five Detained as Fear Spreads Through Persian Christian Faith Community  Fear has spread through a West Los Angeles congregation after...

TV Writer Jon Cowan Brings Legal Thriller Proof to Diesel A Bookstore in Brentwood

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

The Suits Producer and First-Time Novelist Will Discuss His Debut Courtroom Drama Television writer and producer Jon Cowan will appear...

Cinespia Brings Fireworks and Fan Favorites to Hollywood Forever This July

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Watch Top Gun, La La Land, and More Under the Stars at Hollywood Forever Cinespia, Los Angeles’ iconic outdoor movie...

California Doubles Down on Hollywood: $750M in Tax Credits Approved for Film and TV Industry

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

State Lawmakers Back Major Expansion of Production Incentives, Raising Job Projections Los Angeles’ film and television industry is poised to...

Brentwood Gardener Brutally Attacked by Squatter; Neighbors Demand Action

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Rodolfo Roman Was Hospitalized After Being Beaten With a Metal Pole Tensions are rising in a Brentwood neighborhood after a...

EEEEEATSCON Los Angeles Returns with Star Chefs, Firefighter Tribute, and Wildfire Relief Efforts

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Culinary Festival Features Exclusive Restaurant Collabs, Support for Small Businesses  EEEEEATSCON Los Angeles, the celebrated food festival curated by The...

Supporters to Gather This Weekend for Longtime Culver City Paleta Seller Held in Detention

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Family and Neighbors Will Gather Sunday to Sell Paletas and Raise Funds Supporters will gather this Sunday at Veterans Park...