Mansfield woman receives over seven years for $8.5 million PPP fraud scheme
wfaa.com — January 17, 2025, 05:02 AM UTC
A Mansfield woman has been sentenced to over seven years in federal prison for her involvement in an $8.5 million Paycheck Protection Program fraud scheme. Tamara Starks, 42, pleaded guilty to wire fraud in September 2024. U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman sentenced Starks to 86 months in prison and ordered her to pay nearly $4.5 million in restitution. Starks submitted over 100 fraudulent loan applications, falsely reporting payroll and tax information. From May 2020 to May 2021, Starks received $4.5 million in PPP funds. She directed recipients to create fake payrolls and returned money to herself for personal expenses.