Ottawa, Illinois — One of six people accused of filing false government aid claims during the COVID-19 pandemic has pleaded guilty in La Salle County Circuit Court.
Amanda K. Rogers, 33, of Ottawa, appeared in court Thursday and entered a blind plea to theft, a Class 1 felony that carries a potential prison sentence of four to fifteen years. In exchange, prosecutors agreed to recommend no more than five years when she is sentenced on January 15 before Judge Michelle A. Vescogni. Other charges were dismissed as part of the plea.
According to prosecutor Laura Hall, Rogers submitted fraudulent paperwork claiming she owned an Ottawa business earning over $100,000 in gross profits. Investigators later found she did not own or operate any business, but the false information allowed her to secure nearly $30,000 in government loans during the pandemic.
Rogers is the first of six defendants charged in La Salle County to plead guilty in connection with COVID-19 relief fraud. The case originated after the Illinois Department of Revenue flagged multiple questionable applications for pandemic aid.
La Salle County State’s Attorney Joe Navarro said while the suspects may not have been part of a formal conspiracy, their applications showed similarities — including fictitious business names — suggesting they “probably acted in concert.”
The remaining five defendants are:
Amber N. Norman, of Streator
Gabriel S. Myart, of Glen Ellyn
Larry A. Chandler, of Sauk Village
James Z. Forbes, of Lacon
Ebony R. Green, of University Park
Each faces charges of theft (Class 1 felony), loan fraud (Class 2 felony), and forgery (Class 3 felony). Prosecutors allege they received between $10,000 and $20,000 in fraudulent government aid.
Rogers will have the opportunity to address the court before sentencing in January.
