July 8, 2025 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

Westside Woman Pleads Guilty to $2M COVID-19 Loan Fraud, IRS Scam

Suspect Admits to Wire Fraud, False Claims in Elaborate Scheme

Casie Hynes, a resident of the Mid-City area, entered a guilty plea today. She admitted to fraudulent activities that resulted in the acquisition of over $2 million in government loans intended to alleviate COVID-19-related financial strains. Additionally, she confessed to submitting falsified claims in an endeavor to secure nearly $1.3 million in pandemic-related tax credits from the IRS.

Hynes, 37, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of false claims.

Court documents reveal that between June 2020 and December 2021, Hynes perpetrated a scheme involving the submission of over 80 fraudulent applications for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) from various financial institutions and the United States Small Business Administration (SBA). These applications were filed under the names of roughly 20 companies, both pre-existing and newly formed, including entities such as Nasty Womxn Project and She Suite Collective, allegedly owned by Hynes or her associates. Employing deceitful tactics, Hynes often utilized the personal information and signatures of unwitting individuals without their consent, alongside fabricated financial documentation to support her applications.

As a result of Hynes’ fraudulent activities, banks and the SBA approved PPP and EIDL loans for these fictitious companies, disbursing the relief funds into accounts controlled by Hynes for her personal expenditures.

Hynes confessed that her actions caused an intended loss of approximately $3,174,323, with fraudulent proceeds amounting to approximately $2,255,244.

In a related scheme, Hynes utilized some of the same companies to submit counterfeit tax forms to the IRS, seeking unwarranted refunds. Over the period from May 2021 to April 2022, she submitted 12 tax forms on behalf of Nasty Womxn Project LLC, She Suite Ventures, and Casie Hynes Consulting, falsely claiming COVID-19 tax credits and refunds. These claims amounted to approximately $1,255,703, none of which were paid by the IRS.

United States District Judge Hernán D. Vera scheduled a sentencing hearing for January 30, 2025. Hynes faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for wire fraud and up to five years for false claims.

IRS Criminal Investigation led the inquiry into this matter, with Assistant United States Attorney Kristen A. Williams prosecuting the case.

Individuals with information regarding COVID-19-related fraud are encouraged to report it to the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at (866) 720-5721 or via the NCDF web complaint form.

in News
Related Posts

Interview: The Dinah Creator Mariah Hanson on Legacy, Change, and the Future of Queer Celebration

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

After 34 Groundbreaking Years, Hanson Reflects on Joy, Power, and Her Final Dinah  We spoke with Mariah Hanson, the creator...

Shore Hotel: A Local Destination for Summer Fun

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Bring on all things summer. Walking or biking along Santa Monica Pier, you might find yourself taking a pause at...

One Last Bite: La Novia Bids Farewell with Final Pop-Up at Cardinale du Vin

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Inventive Latin-Asian Pop-up Serves Seasonal Small Plates for One-Night-Only La Novia, the pop-up kitchen known for its inventive Latin-Asian flavors,...

Governor Newsom Unveils Fast-Track Rebuilding Plan on Six-Month Anniversary of Palisades Fire

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

State Clears Over 5.5 Billion Pounds of Debris From Fires Ahead of Schedule Marking six months since the devastating Eaton...

Soprano Golda Zahra Returns to BroadStage For a One-Night-Only Musical Celebration

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Hailed as “the rising star of the opera world” by The Hollywood Times, internationally acclaimed soprano Golda Zahra makes her much-anticipated return to BroadStage in...

Transform Your Life: The Free Virtual ONENESS GLOBAL SUMMIT Debuts July 18-20, 2025

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

The ONENESS GLOBAL SUMMIT, a transformative three-day virtual event, is coming, July 18-20, 2025, offering participants worldwide a free opportunity...

Bel Air and Holmby Hills Estates Lead May’s List of America’s Top 10 Home Sales

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

LA Claims Two of the Top Three Luxury Home Sales Last Month expensive residential transaction in the U.S. for May,...

Developer Seeks to Replace Mid-Century Building With 65 New Units in Palms

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Apartment Complex Near E Line May Be Demolished for Larger Housing Project Mid-century apartments near Metro’s Palms Station are set...

Michael Madsen, Star of Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill, Dies at 67 in Malibu

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

Actor Remembered for His Intense Performances and as a Poet  Actor Michael Madsen, known for his distinctive gravelly voice and...

Los Angeles City Council Cracks Down on ‘Disaster Tours’ in Pacific Palisades

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

City Council Bans Commercial Bus Tours in Burn Zone Amid Community Backlash Tour buses that have been operating in fire-ravaged...

Tow Truck Scammers Target Crash Victims Across L.A.: Authorities Warn of Fraud at Accident Scenes

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

Officials Urge Drivers to Stay Alert After Collisions as Rogue Operators Demand Inflated Fees  Motorists involved in vehicle accidents are...

Woman Dies After Melrose Store Altercation: LAPD Launches Homicide Investigation

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

Critically Injured Young Woman Died July 2, After She was Badly Beaten at Work  The death of a woman critically...

CHP Officer Dies in Culver City Crash: Medical Emergency Suspected Behind Tragic Incident

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

Officer lost consciousness while transporting a suspect before crashing into a tree California Highway Patrol Officer Miguel Cano died early...

L.A. Beaches Brace for Holiday Rush: Over 1 Million Visitors Expected This Fourth of July

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

County Officials Urge Beachgoers to Pack Out Their Trash and  Monitor Water Quality More than one million visitors are expected...

(Video) A visit to New York Bagel & Deli in Santa Monica

July 3, 2025

July 3, 2025

Authentic NY Style Bagels with Extra Creamy Cream Cheese and Multi-Cultural Desserts. Located at 2216 Wilshire Blvd. A visit to...