22 defendants charged in $63 MILLION Oregon pandemic fraud crackdown: US Attorney's Office

According to US Attorney Scott Bradford, federal indictments were rendered against 12 alleged fraudsters involving more than $29 million in losses from June through September 2026. An additional 10 defendants were charged with fraud offenses between September and October, totaling $34 million in losses.

The office’s fraud task force has since recovered $15.8 million of the stolen funds. The effort has been dubbed Operation No Doze, and the US Department of Justice (DOJ) aims to recover $1.2 billion.

“COVID-19 relief funds were created to help small businesses and families survive an unprecedented crisis — not enrich fraudsters,” said US Attorney Scott Bradford in a press release.

US Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General William Kirk told reporters that federal officials are in the process of sending demand letters to thousands of people whose pandemic relief loans showed potential signs of fraud.

“Over the next few days, over 2,300 demand letters totaling nearly $97 million are being sent to applicants whose loans included indicators of fraud,” said Kirk during an October 28 press conference in Portland.

The US Attorney’s Office highlighted several cases. This includes the following:

• Afe Divine Bey - Convicted; Arrested and Detained Pending Sentencing

On October 7, Bey pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud stemming from false statements in COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) applications totaling more than $308,000. After receiving the funds, he misused the proceeds and made no repayments. His pretrial release was revoked, and Bey will be sentenced in February 2027.

• Kenneth Burns - Fugitive Arrest

Burns was arrested on October 15 and failing to appear for his July 7 sentencing. He was indicted for bank fraud related to a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan causing more than $373,000 in losses. He spent thousands of the funds on personal expenses and made no payments on his loan.

• Papa Diallo - Indicted and Arrested

On September 3, 2026, Diallo was indicted for bank fraud and wire fraud related to false statements in PPP, EIDL, and Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) applications through which he obtained more than $150,000. He was arrested on October 19.

• Elijah Motley - Indicted

On October 21, Motley was indicted on two counts of wire fraud involving false statements and fabricated tax documents submitted with PPP and forgiveness applications.

• Countee Motley-Indicted

Motley was indicted October 21 on two counts of wire fraud involving false statements and fabricated tax documents submitted with PPP and forgiveness applications.

• Kiara Nelson - Indicted

On October 21, Nelson was indicted on two counts of wire fraud involving false statements and fabricated tax documents submitted with PPP and forgiveness applications.

• Paul Jones - Indicted

Jones was indicted October 21 on two counts of wire fraud involving false statements and fabricated documents submitted with PPP and forgiveness applications.

“These enforcement actions demonstrate our unwavering commitment to protecting taxpayer dollars and holding accountable those who abuse federal programs,” Bradford said. “We will continue to pursue every avenue — criminal and civil — to uncover fraud and ensure the integrity of these critical relief programs.”

The Oregon US Attorney’s Office has made several sweeping fraud announcements over the past several months, cracking down on individuals stealing from numerous taxpayer funded services. This includes recent sweeping SNAP fraud indictments, in which nearly all of the 40 defendants were illegal immigrants.