Chicago – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today charged a Cook County woman who allegedly received thousands of dollars from multiple fraudulent COVID-19 unemployment assistance claims and a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan application for a business that did not exist.
The Attorney General’s office charged Tina Tzoumas, 38 of Chicago, in Cook County Circuit Court with one count of theft of government property more than $10,000 but less than $100,000, a Class 1 felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison; one count of identity theft more than $10,000 but less than $100,000, a Class 1 felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison; one count of identity theft, a Class 2 felony punishable by up to seven years in prison; one count of financial institution fraud more than $10,000 but less than $100,000, a Class 2 felony punishable by up to seven years in prison; one count of loan fraud more than $10,000 but less than $100,000, a Class 2 felony punishable by up to seven years in prison; one count of state benefits fraud, a Class 3 felony punishable by up to five years in prison; two counts of forgery, both Class 3 felonies punishable by up to five years in prison; one count of wire fraud, a Class 3 felony punishable by up to five years in prison; one count of possession of methamphetamine, a Class 3 felony punishable by up to five years in prison; and one count of possession of a controlled substance, a Class 4 felony punishable by up to three years in prison.
Sentences are ultimately determined by the court. Tzoumas’ next court date is July 24.
“Unemployment assistance and Paycheck Protection Program Loans were a lifeline for many Illinois residents and small businesses, which sustained so many of our communities when we needed them the most during the pandemic,” Raoul said. “I am committed to holding accountable those who used the pandemic to steal from their communities and the state of Illinois.”
Raoul’s office alleges that between June 2020 and June 2021, Tzoumas submitted multiple COVID-19 unemployment assistance claims that were determined to be fraudulent. Tzoumas allegedly submitted these claims using other individuals’ personal identifying information and received thousands of dollars in Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) funds.
“The lengths to which individuals will go to take advantage of a crisis situation, exploit critical assistance, and cheat vital resources from individuals who legitimately need them during their toughest days is nothing short of contemptible,” said Illinois Department of Employment Security Director Ray Marchiori. “The integrity of the unemployment insurance program and the safeguarding of benefits is of the utmost importance. IDES is proud of the continued partnership with the Attorney General’s office and the tireless work they’ve done to bring charges against these individuals.”
Tzoumas also allegedly used her own information to submit a fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan application and received thousands of dollars for a business that did not exist.
The public is reminded that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Assistant Attorney General Samantha Cain will prosecute the case for Raoul’s Special Prosecutions Bureau.
