LEXINGTON, Ky. — A grand jury returned a 12-count indictment on Sept 1. against a Kentucky couple accused of filling out fraudulent COVID relief loan applications, receiving $354,300.

What You Need To Know

  • Kelly and Neal Harris are accused of putting false information on coronavirus relief applications that were meant to assist nonprofits and businesses affected by the pandemic

  • The indictment alleges false details included when their businesses or nonprofits launches, nature of operations and the number of employees they had

  • If found guilty on all 12 counts, the couple faces up to 20 years of prison, a fine and possibly additional penalties

The grand jury charged Kelly and Neal Harris with four counts of wire fraud and have been named together on four other counts. 

According to the indictment, the couple put false information in Economic Injmy Disaster Loan applications through the Small Business Administration for low-interest loans that were meant to assist nonprofits and businesses affected by the COVID pandemic in 2020. The indictment alleges they put false details on when the businesses or nonprofits began, the nature of their operations, the number of employees and more. 

The couple applied for loans through the Ruby E. Bailey Family Service Center, Grace Christian Fellowship Church, Turtle Doves, North Side Market and American Workhorse LLC, according to the indictment. They received funds through wire transfers between May 5 to July 25, 2020 from the church, Turtle Doves and the Ruby E. Bailey Family Service Center. 

If found guilty on all 12 counts, the couple faces "imprisonment for not more than 20 years, a fine of not more than $250,000 or twice the amount of loss and supervised release for not more than three years," according to the indictment. 

In addition, the Harrises could also face mandatory special assessment of $100 per count, restitution if applicable and forfeiture as listed. 

Related Stories