United States of America v. Chelsey Powell

New Orleans, Louisiana, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with making false statements to the small business administration.

By Kent Morlan

Chelsea Powell, age 34, of of Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, made false statements to the Small Business Administration (SBA) for the purpose of fraudulently obtaining a pandemic-related relief Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan funded by the federal government, in the amount of approximately $19,950.00. She also applied for two other PPP loans that were based upon false information. In total, POWELL agreed to repay the SBA $36,123.52 as restitution for the losses to the government.

POWELL is to be sentenced on August 12, 2026. At that time, she faces up to five years in prison, up to $250,000 in fines, and up to three years of supervised release for the false statements to the SBA. There is also a $100 mandatory special assessment fee due after conviction.

U.S. Attorney Courcelle praised the work of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General (a member of the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee) and the United States Secret Service in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward J. Rivera of the Financial Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.

The Defendant elected to plead guilty.