Tametria Conner Dantzler was the head of the D.A.T.S.M.O.M., a nonprofit whose name stands for Disability as an Ability Toward Success: Moms on the Move. The organization says on its website that it offers free resources, including scholarships, to families with children with autism. But Dantzler lead a double life. While ensuring mission success for a charity, she was also a fraudster. This public leader might as well have referred to D.A.T.S.M.O.M. as Deceptive And Tricky Schemes Misleading One’s Motives.
Because her personal motives were to primarily steal from the U.S. taxpayer during a worldwide crisis.
According to her plea agreement and court records, Dantzler created companies, including Conner Consulting LLC, and falsely reported that the companies qualified for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, the federal initiative created in March 2020 to provide emergency financial assistance to American businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, Dantzler got approximately $927,338.47 in grants and forgivable loans that she was not entitled to. Dantzler admitted that she used to buy a house and pay off her husband’s car, among other things.
Yet, furthermore, while Dantzler was not only guiding families to urgently needed programs and also committing fraud for herself, she had a side hustle. She helped others receive $1,049,864 in COVID-19 pandemic relief funds in exchange for fees or fabricated payroll checks.
D.A.T.S.M.O.M. social media page announced on July 3, 2024, that Dantzler has taken a leave of absence. Indefinitely. Tametria Conner Dantzler, 39, entered the plea Wednesday. She could get up to 20 years in prison when she’s sentenced.
Great job by the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force.
Today’s Fraud of The Day is based on article “Montgomery non-profit founder guilty of stealing $2M from federal COVID programs” published by WSFA News on August 1, 2024.
A Montgomery woman pleaded guilty Wednesday to stealing nearly $2 million from the federal government’s COVID-19 relief programs, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Tametria Conner Dantzler, 39, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering charges related to loans she got through the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security, or CARES Act, and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan, or EIDL program.
“Government fraud is not a victimless crime,” said United States Attorney Jonathan S. Ross. “A financial loss to the United States is a loss to the U.S. taxpayer. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, along with law enforcement partners, will continue efforts to identify and prosecute anyone personally profiting from funds intended to provide relief for businesses.”
