ABINGDON, Va. — A southwestern Virginia business owner has pleaded guilty to defrauding the government out of pandemic benefits.
Mandi Dawn Hammond, 36, of Richlands, who owned and operated a hair and nail salon, which was closed by the lockdown in the early days of the pandemic.
During the lockdown, she applied for unemployment benefits, which she was qualified for and received.
However, once the lockdown was lifted six weeks later and Hammond reopened her business, she continued to file for weekly unemployment benEfits for another 15 months. Prosecutors say she illegitimately pocketed more than $29,000 in benefits.
“As the world faced a once-in-a-generation global pandemic, Congress and the President passed sweeping legislation to assist businesses and individuals in surviving economic upheaval,” United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh said. “These programs were designed as a safety net for those in need, not as a get-rich-quick scheme for those looking to commit fraud. I am continually grateful for the work of our local, state, and federal law enforcement for pursuing these important prosecutions.”
Hammond has now pleaded guilty to one count of disaster assistance fraud and one count of mail fraud. She will be sentenced Sept. 15, when she faces up to 30 years in prison.
