A North Carolina woman allegedly went on a shopping spree with nearly $150,000 she illegally obtained from a coronavirus relief loan.
Federal prosecutors say Jasmine Johnnae Clifton, 24, spent most of the money on high end luxury bags and shoes at Louis Vuitton, Neiman Marcus and jewelry stores.
Clifton appeared in court on Monday and was later released on $25,000 bond, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina.
The press release detailed how Clifton lied on an application to fraudulently obtain relief funds for an existing business during the coronavirus lockdowns.
She falsely claimed $350,000 in gross revenue for her online clothing business, Jazzy Jas, despite filing paperwork in 2020 that shows the business was dissolved, according to ABC News.
The loan application was approved in early August for $149,900, which she later spent during shopping sprees at over two dozen retailers, including Ikea and Rooms to Go.
On Feb. 17, Clifton was indicted on wire fraud in relation to a disaster benefit and fraud in connection with major disaster or emergency benefits.
If convicted, she faces 30 years in prison on each charge, plus a possible $1,250,000 fine.
