WASHINGTON — A former D.C. official admitted to stealing more than $800,000 in pandemic relief loans in court Thursday.
According to the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia, 40-year-old Wendy Nicole Villatoro worked at the D.C. Homeland Security Commissioner when she submitted fraudulent applications to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Evidence shows that between March 31, 2020, and Aug. 4, 2021, Villatoro submitted eight PPP loan applications, all under the names of fake businesses.
“This is a case of an individual exploiting pandemic relief programs for personal gain, diverting critical funds meant to help small businesses in need,” said SBA-OIG’s Eastern Region Special Agent in Charge Amaleka McCall-Braithwaite.
In total, Villatoro tried to steal between $2.6 million and $5.5 million and successfully secured over $844,000 in PPP and EID funds. Officials say she used the stolen money to pay off her student loans, pay off the car loan on a BMW SUV, and buy luxury items.
Villatoro pleaded guilty on Thursday to one count of bank fraud. She is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 28, 2025, and faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.
Her admission on Thursday was part of a plea agreement in which Villatoro agreed to pay $844,415.24 in restitution to the U.S. Government and to forfeit items purchased with the stolen money, including more than 70 pieces of designer clothing and jewelry and a BMW SUV.
According to the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia, Villatoro is currently an employee with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
