Evergreen Reporter

Wendy Nicole Villatoro, a former D.C. Homeland Security Commissioner and current employee of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has been sentenced to 15 months in federal prison for bank fraud related to fraudulent applications for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The sentencing took place on February 28, 2025, at the U.S. District Court.

The case was announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr., Special Agent in Charge Charmeka Parker of the USDA Office of Inspector General Northeast Region, and Special Agent in Charge Amaleka McCall-Brathwaite of the SBA Office of Inspector General Eastern Region.

Villatoro pleaded guilty on November 14, 2024. Alongside her prison sentence, she is required to serve two years of supervised release as ordered by Judge Carl J. Nichols.

Between March 31, 2020, and August 4, 2021, Villatoro submitted eight PPP loan applications with financial institutions and 15 Economic Injury Disaster (EID) loans with the Small Business Administration (SBA), all containing false statements. She attempted to secure between $2.6 million and $5.5 million but succeeded in obtaining over $844,000 through these fraudulent activities.

The funds were used to pay off student loans and a car loan on a BMW SUV and purchase luxury items. As part of her plea agreement, Villatoro agreed to pay restitution amounting to $844,415.24 to the U.S. Government and forfeit assets purchased with illicit proceeds.

The CARES Act provided emergency financial assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic through forgivable loans like those from PPP designed for job retention and other expenses such as payroll costs or rent.

Investigations were conducted by multiple agencies including the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, USDA-OIG, SBA-OIG with support from FBI Washington Field Office Asset Forfeiture Unit.

Prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jared English and Rick Blaylock Jr., with additional support from former Assistant U.S. Attorneys Connor Mullin, Anna Forgie, and Paul V. Courtney.

For information about fraud involving COVID-19 relief programs can be reported via DOJ’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline or online complaint form.