Landover Mom Steals Son's Identity To Secure COVID-19 Loans: Maryland Attorney General

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — A 58-year-old Landover woman has been sentenced in connection to the theft of her biological son's identity and COVID-19 loan fraud.

Between January 2018 and June 2020, Chinita Richardson assumed the identity of her son without his knowledge or permission in order to secure student loans for her benefit. In May of 2020, Richardson obtained a Payroll Protection Program loan designed to assist businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Maryland Attorney General.

In order to obtain the loan, Richardson falsely reported the monthly payroll expenses of her business. Later in August of 2020, Richardson obtained a COVID-19 economic injury disaster loan. In order to obtain the loan, she falsely reported the gross sales and expenses of her business.

The money Richardson received from both loans was used for personal purchases and not for legitimate business purposes, the Maryland Attorney General's office said in a news release.

Richardson pleaded guilty in the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County to theft over $100,000, theft between $1,500 and $25,000, and identity fraud between $25,000 and $100,000.

She has been sentenced to 10 years of incarceration, all suspended, 18 months of home detention and five years of supervised probation. Richardson also was ordered to pay $271,632 in restitution.