CINCINNATI – Kelli Prather, a 52-year-old Cincinnati resident, received an 84-month prison sentence today in U.S. District Court after being convicted last summer on multiple counts of fraud, announced authorities.
Prather was found guilty on all 14 charges in July 2023 following a trial presided over by U.S. District Judge Matthew W. McFarland. The convictions stem from Prather’s fraudulent actions, wherein she applied for over $1.2 million in pandemic relief loans.
During the trial, testimony and evidence revealed that Prather had submitted fraudulent applications for six Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans under the CARES Act COVID-19 relief measures. She claimed ownership of six businesses, including Enhanced Healthcare Solutions, Life Skills Enhancement, Prather Property Management, Reliable Ambulette Services, Rich Glo Management Services, and Tots R Us.
Additionally, Prather sought relief through eight Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), misrepresenting in three of the applications that her disabled nephew was the majority owner of the businesses.
Despite her efforts to obtain over $1.2 million, Prather fraudulently received approximately $19,700. As part of her sentence, she has been ordered to pay $19,682 in restitution.
The jury convicted Prather on charges including bank fraud, making false statements in connection with credit or loan applications, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, along with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General, and other members of the Financial Crimes Working Group Pandemic Fraud Committee, announced the sentence handed down by Judge McFarland. Assistant United States Attorneys Anthony Springer and Ebunoluwa A. Taiwo represented the United States in this case.
