Elaine Escoe, a Jamaican national, is back in the US to face multiple charges, including wire fraud, as the alleged mastermind of the massive US$32 million COVID-19 relief fraud case.
According to the US Department of Justice (DOJ), Elaine Escoe, 41, is the last remaining defendant in the sprawling fraud case. Her five alleged co-conspirators are already convicted and serving prison sentences ranging from 46 months to more than 19 years.
The DOJ said a federal jury found Alfred Davis, Cher Davis and Latoya Clarke guilty last December. The court convicted them for their roles in the scheme.
A federal judge sentenced Alfred Davis to 19 years and five months in prison. Cher Davis received seven years, while Clarke received five years and eight months.
Two other defendants, Gino Jourdan and James McGhow, previously pleaded guilty. As a result, they received sentences of 46 months and 42 months, respectively.
U.S. prosecutors allege that Elaine Escoe and her co-conspirators submitted fraudulent applications seeking over $32 million through various federal COVID-19 relief programs. These programs include the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). They also include the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant, and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program.
Elaine Escoe and her conspirators allegedly submitted false information to qualify for federal relief funding.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) alleged that certain applications falsely claimed the existence, payroll, revenue, and operations of various businesses. This was done in order to qualify for and maximize federal relief funding.
Investigators also asserted that the group created fake tax returns, fabricated bank records, and other fraudulent financial documents. They did this to support these applications.
Additionally, authorities alleged that while the conspirators submitted some applications for businesses controlled by members of the conspiracy, they filed others on behalf of third parties. In return, they received kickbacks of up to 50% of the loan proceeds.
Then the conspirators laundered the illicit proceeds from this fraud among themselves.
The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Jason Reding Quiñones, said Elaine Escoe allegedly helped orchestrate a large scheme. This scheme fraudulently obtained more than $32 million from programs designed to support American businesses and workers during the pandemic.
Law enforcement indicted Elaine Escoe in 2025 on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, wire fraud, and money laundering.
In May 2025, U.S. authorities issued a federal arrest warrant for Escoe. However, she failed to appear in court and fled to Jamaica.
However, the Jamaican authorities deported her to the United States on Saturday, July 25. The FBI arrested her after, following a tip and information gathered during the investigation by the FBI.