To say that a person is either completely good or completely bad would be naïve. Good people do bad things sometimes. Kelly Harris and Neal Harris were president and treasurer of the Bailey Center, which supported programs that include community gardens, jobs for young people, food aid and help with rent and utilities. It was a good organization run by good people. Neal Harris was even the pastor of their church. Good people doing good things. But being good doesn’t mean there isn’t a little bit of fraudster lingering.
In 2020, the Harrises submitted loan applications for all the Bailey Center programs The Out of the goodness of her heart! The Ruby E. Bailey Family Service Center, Turtle Doves, North Side Market, Grace Christian Fellowship Church and American Workhorse. All programs dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the people in Kentucky. Kelly Harris claimed that all the programs were eligible to apply for the loans and that she had no intent “to deprive a victim of money or property.” She said she provided the information during a time in which her businesses were shut down. So, her statements had to be true!
However, each application misrepresented the gross receipts, lost money, and the number of employees within each program. The fraudulent applications resulted in loans totaling $357,600 for three of the businesses. On March 18, 2024, the jury found them both guilty of government fraud. The Harrises sentencing is scheduled in July. They face up to 20 years each in prison.
Excellent job by the U.S. Posta Inspection Service. With this investigation.
Today’s Fraud of The Day is based on article “‘Theft of public funds.’ Jury convicts Lexington couple of fraud over COVID-19 loans” published by The Lexington Herald Leader on March 18, 2024.
As the number of coronavirus cases grows, so does the number of scammers. The Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s office put out a Fraud Alert video, so you will know what is going on and how to avoid becoming a fraud victim.
A Lexington couple committed fraud in applying for more than $350,000 in loans meant to help businesses that suffered as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, a jury has ruled. The jury convicted Kelly Harris, 64, and Neal Harris, 57, of wire fraud on March 14 in federal court in Lexington. Kelly Harris or Neal Harris submitted applications in 2020 for loans for the Ruby E. Bailey Family Service Center, Turtle Doves, North Side Market, Grace Christian Fellowship Church and American Workhorse LLC, according to court documents.
