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DECEMBER 16--A Florida Woman was arrested Wednesday for driving a stolen car to the federal courthouse where she is on trial for her alleged role in a conspiracy that defrauded $29 million from government COVID-relief loan and grant programs.
Latoya Clark, 39, was blocks away from the U.S District Court in Fort Pierce when a license plate reader flagged her vehicle as being stolen. Clark was behind the wheel of a 2025 Ram ProMaster cargo van
when she was pulled over by a sheriff's deputy around 8:30 AM.
After Clark exited the vehicle and was handcuffed, a cop explained why she was being detained. "Oh, I know why," Clark reportedly said, adding that she was en route to the federal courthouse "because she is on trial for a federal crime."
According to court records, Clark (seen at right) obtained the van two months ago in a one-day rental from U-Haul. When she failed to return the vehicle, it was reported stolen.
Charged with a felony, Clark was booked into the county jail. Which made her a no-show that morning in federal court, where she was indicted in May for conspiracy, money laundering, and wire fraud.
According to prosecutors, Clark and five codefendants engaged in a multiyear scheme to file phony COVID-relief applications. The alleged fraudsters submitted 92 bogus claims, which netted them $29 million in Paycheck Protection Program funds, money that was eventually laundered through a web of shell companies.
Clark, who allegedly controlled three corporations used in the fraud operation, was free on $250,000 bond in the federal case. Several of the felonies for which Clark was charged carry maximum 20-year prison sentences.
Following her arrest in the stolen van case, Clark's bond was revoked by U.S. District Court Judge Aileen Cannon (yes, that Aileen Cannon). Cannon rejected a defense argument that Clark's retention of the U-Haul van was "born entirely out of poverty, desperation, and survival" and that she was living out of the stolen wheels.
A jury in the federal case was selected yesterday and opening arguments were scheduled for today.
www.thesmokinggun.com
Latoya Clark, 39, was blocks away from the U.S District Court in Fort Pierce when a license plate reader flagged her vehicle as being stolen. Clark was behind the wheel of a 2025 Ram ProMaster cargo van
when she was pulled over by a sheriff's deputy around 8:30 AM.
After Clark exited the vehicle and was handcuffed, a cop explained why she was being detained. "Oh, I know why," Clark reportedly said, adding that she was en route to the federal courthouse "because she is on trial for a federal crime."
According to court records, Clark (seen at right) obtained the van two months ago in a one-day rental from U-Haul. When she failed to return the vehicle, it was reported stolen.
Charged with a felony, Clark was booked into the county jail. Which made her a no-show that morning in federal court, where she was indicted in May for conspiracy, money laundering, and wire fraud.
According to prosecutors, Clark and five codefendants engaged in a multiyear scheme to file phony COVID-relief applications. The alleged fraudsters submitted 92 bogus claims, which netted them $29 million in Paycheck Protection Program funds, money that was eventually laundered through a web of shell companies.
Clark, who allegedly controlled three corporations used in the fraud operation, was free on $250,000 bond in the federal case. Several of the felonies for which Clark was charged carry maximum 20-year prison sentences.
Following her arrest in the stolen van case, Clark's bond was revoked by U.S. District Court Judge Aileen Cannon (yes, that Aileen Cannon). Cannon rejected a defense argument that Clark's retention of the U-Haul van was "born entirely out of poverty, desperation, and survival" and that she was living out of the stolen wheels.
A jury in the federal case was selected yesterday and opening arguments were scheduled for today.
Cops: Woman Drove Stolen Van To Court
DECEMBER 16--A Florida Woman was arrested Wednesday for driving a stolen car to the federal courthouse where she is on trial for her alleged role in a conspiracy that defrauded $29 million from gover
www.thesmokinggun.com
