Three people from Phoenix sentenced in COVID relief benefits scheme

Three Phoenix-area residents were sentenced in federal court on Thursday for their involvement in a scheme to defraud the government during the COVID-19 pandemic. Likishe Kelly, 43, filed fraudulent unemployment claims using the names of prison inmates, resulting in the misappropriation of over $375,000 in funds between May and December 2020. She was sentenced to 36 months in prison and ordered to make full restitution. Antoinette Coleman, 36, aided Kelly by submitting two false applications and received a portion of the funds, resulting in a five-year probation sentence. Christine Boston, 52, who was in prison at the time, provided Kelly with the names of inmates and received funds in return, leading to her 36-month prison sentence as well.

The case was addressed by U. S. District Judge Susan M. Brnovich, who underscored the need for accountability in the wake of the pandemic. U.

S. Attorney Gary Restaino remarked on the unfortunate exploitation of emergency measures and emphasized that the sentences serve as a deterrent against future fraud. The case reflects broader concerns about the misuse of pandemic relief funds.