CPD sergeant invented fake bakery to steal $41,662 in COVID relief money, feds say
Chicago Police Sergeant Charged with Fraudulently Obtaining COVID-Relief Loans for Fake Bakery
A Chicago Police sergeant, Brandi Wright, has been charged in federal court with wire fraud for allegedly obtaining over $41,000 in COVID-relief loans for a bakery that was non-existent.
Wright, 44, is accused of submitting false applications for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans in 2021, claiming to own a bakery that had no actual presence. The applications contained misleading information about revenue, payroll needs, and expenses, with each loan amounting to $20,831, totaling $41,662, which was reportedly used for other purposes.
Despite earning $142,688 as a CPD sergeant in the previous year, Wright’s alleged actions have brought legal consequences as U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros focuses on investigating COVID-19 fraud related to federal benefit programs.
The charges against Wright follow a recent report by the Chicago Office of Inspector General, which highlighted cases of fraudulent PPP loans involving Chicago police officers. In one instance, an officer obtained and sought forgiveness for two loans amounting to $41,666, similar to Wright’s alleged scheme.
As a result of the investigations, CPD has agreed to discharge eight officers involved in PPP fraud and include them on the city’s do-not-hire list. Another officer resigned during the inquiry after being linked to fraudulent PPP loans obtained before joining the department, leading to his addition to the do-not-hire list.
Additionally, the OIG report identified an aldermanic staffer who reportedly secured $20,833 through deceptive PPP loan applications. The employee then allegedly filed a false police report and misled investigators about their involvement in the loan process. The OIG recommended the alderman dismiss the employee and prevent future city employment, although the response from the alderman remains ambiguous.
These incidents underscore the need for accountability and transparency in handling federal relief programs, as authorities crack down on fraudulent activities that abuse such systems.
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