Key takeaways:
- Leslie Bethea, 30, of Surgoinsville, TN was sentenced to more than 6 years in federal prison for fraudulently obtaining coronavirus relief funds.
- Bethea used the money to travel to a Florida resort and receive plastic surgery.
- The Department of Justice has ordered Bethea to pay back the money she fraudulently obtained and issued a warning to those considering similar schemes.
A Tennessee woman has been sentenced to more than six years in federal prison for fraudulently obtaining coronavirus relief funds and using the money for personal luxuries.
Leslie Bethea, 30, of Surgoinsville, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of making a false statement to her probation officer after being indicted in June on wire fraud, money laundering and other charges.
According to the Department of Justice, Bethea applied for a Payroll Protection Program loan in March 2021, claiming she had made $99,835 in 2019 — a year during which she was in prison for wire fraud.
Bethea used the money to travel to a Florida resort and receive plastic surgery. In addition to her prison sentence, Bethea has been ordered to pay back the money she fraudulently obtained.
The Department of Justice said Bethea’s sentence is a reminder that those who attempt to defraud the government during the coronavirus pandemic will be held accountable. Bethea’s sentence is a warning to those who may be considering similar schemes.
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