Khalia Douglas, 27, was sentenced to two years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas announced on Friday.
Between March 2020 and June 2021, Douglas conspired with others to submit fraudulent applications for federal assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Small Business Administration (SBA), and other U.S. government programs, officials confirmed.
Douglas used her Instagram account, “GoGettaKaee,” to advertise her services, promoting fraudulent COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) applications. Through her posts, she encouraged individuals to pay her fees via CashApp in exchange for assistance in filing fake applications.
She submitted numerous fraudulent applications, including eight false FEMA disaster assistance claims related to Hurricane Laura. Additionally, Douglas filed false EIDL applications for herself and fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) applications for another person.
Investigators uncovered evidence of extensive fraud on Douglas’s phone and computer, including fake tax documents, counterfeit government IDs, and discussions about fraudulent applications.
The total loss resulting from her actions amounted to $318,361, with an attempted loss of $514,415. In addition to her sentence, U.S. District Judge Alfred H. Bennett ordered Douglas to pay full restitution of the $318,361.
Douglas was allowed to remain on bond until she voluntarily surrenders to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined soon.