Authorities said a woman named Miranda Martin previously filed for a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan for her business, the Common Nucleus of Cancer, for which she was given $32,700.
However, the woman’s identity was not as the owner of the Limited Liability Company (LLC) but as a retired attorney. Officials said the actual person who filed for the loan was previously arrested for impersonation several months prior.
Impersonation
The suspect’s real name was known as Miranda Devlin, who was arrested in November 2019 for impersonating two criminal defense attorneys, Martin and Miranda Petrillo. The two Mirandas were licensed with the State Bar of California as lawyers.
In 2019, Devlin served as legal counsel for two people in Marin who were accused of molestation. In 2015, the suspect also handled a rape investigation.
“I just have people writing motions for me and stuff. I don’t look at every little detail. They’re just mad at me because I won’t budge. That’s what they’re upset about — me. Trying to help the public,” Devlin said while addressing discrepancies in her identity.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) later discovered that the business, Common Nucleus of Cancer, was also involved in small-scale swindling. Prosecutors alleged Devlin used some of the PPP money to purchase products from shops, including Bloomingdale’s, Tiffany and Co., and Amazon, putting it up for sale along with her other stocks.
“In CNC’s application, Devlin made multiple false statements and provided false IRS documents to support the statements,” the Department of Justice said. Officials also accused the suspect of using Martin’s name to file for the business and the PPP loan, arguing Martin singlehandedly managed the business.
Devlin claimed on her application that she had two employees who had a combined salary of $13,000 per month.
“We alleged Miranda Devlin committed serial fraud. PPP funds provide a critically important safety net for legitimate businesses suffering real losses. Anyone considering PPP fraud should know law enforcement is watching, and federal prosecution can follow,” a statement by U.S. Attorney David Anderson said.
Authorities charged Devlin with false statements on an application and mail fraud. The suspect faces up to 30 years in prison and a $1 million bond if convicted of the false statements charge and a $1 million while being given a maximum of 20 years in jail and a $250,000 bond for the fraud charge, the San Francisco Gate reported.
In November 2019, the suspect was released on a $100,000 bond for impersonation charges. Currently, Devlin is released on a $500,000 bond after her Friday arraignment and is scheduled for a hearing in March.
