FBI Searching for Florida Woman in $34M COVID Relief Fraud Scheme
Federal authorities are searching for a Florida woman accused of playing a central role in a massive scheme to steal millions from pandemic relief programs.
Elaine Angene Escoe, 40, is wanted by the FBI for her alleged participation in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering tied to fraudulent applications for federal COVID-19 aid, according to reports. Fox 35 reported that investigators found she and others allegedly submitted more than 90 false claims between May 2020 and November 2021. These claims gave her access to programs like the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF), and the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG).
The outlet also stated that according to the FBI, the applications overstated employee numbers, payroll costs, and business revenues. The effort led to roughly $29.1 million in PPP funds, $1.2 million in RRF funds, and $3.8 million in SVOG funds being wrongly disbursed.
Authorities say that after securing the money, Escoe and others funneled payments to each other and their businesses, withdrew large amounts of cash, and used signed blank checks to disguise the source of the funds.
A federal warrant for Escoe’s arrest was issued on May 22. She faces charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, wire fraud, concealment money laundering, and transactional money laundering. Officials said she was notified of a June 5 court appearance but did not show up. She was last seen June 3 in Palm Beach County, Florida.
The FBI noted that Escoe, who is originally from Jamaica, has also gone by the names “Annie” and “Annie Palmer.”