Key takeaways:
- Danielle Miller, 32, pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft
- Miller allegedly used stolen identities to access the Massachusetts driver’s license portal and other methods to claim pandemic-related financial assistance
- Miller faces up to 20 years in prison for the wire fraud charges and a mandatory two-year sentence for the aggravated identity theft charges, as well as a fine of up to $250,000 and restitution to the victims
A Miami social media influencer has pleaded guilty to five federal charges related to a $1.5 million COVID relief fraud scheme.
Danielle Miller, 32, pleaded guilty on Monday to three counts of wire fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft. According to the Department of Justice, Miller used stolen identities and fake business names to claim pandemic-related financial assistance, which she then used to fund her own personal expenses.
Miller allegedly used the stolen identities of more than 10 people to access the Massachusetts driver’s license portal and other methods. She then used the money to pay for rent in a luxury apartment and to charter a private plane.
The U.S. attorney’s office for Massachusetts said Miller’s case is one of the more egregious examples of fraud that has emerged from government efforts to help the economy recover from the pandemic.
Miller is scheduled to be sentenced in August and faces up to 20 years in prison for the wire fraud charges and a mandatory two-year sentence for the aggravated identity theft charges. She also faces a fine of up to $250,000 and restitution to the victims.
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