SLIDELL, La. (WGNO) — A Slidell woman pled guilty to theft and misappropriation of COVID-19 Relief funds on Wednesday, April 10.
According to court documents, Melissa J. Watson, of Slidell, pled guilty to theft of public money in connection with a scheme to misappropriate over $780,000 from the Provider Relief Fund, a COVID-19 pandemic relief program administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, Watson pled guilty to submitting false and fraudulent attestations on behalf of the primary care clinic she operated to obtain PRF funds.
Watson used the PRF funds intended for the clinic for personal purposes, including making cash withdrawals and purchasing hundreds of thousands of dollars in real estate, a luxury vehicle, a boat and trailer and a time share condominium.
The government seized over $500,000 in bank accounts held by Watson, along with several assets, including a boat and trailer and a Range Rover Sport car.
Watson is scheduled to be sentenced on July 16 and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
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