CHRISTIANSTED – Local investigators are learning money intended for businesses struggling during the pandemic was not always used for what it was intended for.
The Economic Crime Unit initiated an investigation involving fraudulent activities to a previous employer.
The investigation revealed that on June 28, 2020, Charleen Isaac who was an employee of the HERCARE business applied for a Paycheck Protection Program Note loan (PPP) under the business of HERCARE, and from July 15, 2020, to December 24, 2020, she wrote 13 checks against the account of HERCARE, the Virgin Islands Police Department said.
Some checks were written out to herself and to cash, without permission from the business owner, causing the business to suffer a loss of $39,411.39, according to the VIPD.
On August 26, 2022, at 10:22a.m., the Detectives from the Economic Crimes Unit executed an Arrest Warrant and placed Isaac 53-years-old under arrest at the office of Fish & Wildlife, Frederiksted, St. Croix, without incident. Isaac was charged with Forgery, Obtaining Money by False Pretense, Grand Larceny and Embezzlement by Fiduciary and Access to a Computer for Fraudulent Purposes.
Isaac was transported to the Wilbur H. Francis Police Operation Building in Frederiksted, where she was processed and booked. Bail was set at $35,000.00, at approximately 12:13 p.m., Isaac was granted 10 percent bail by the Honorable Judge Yulan Brow Ross. Isaac posted $3,500.00 and was released pending an Advice of Rights Hearing scheduled for Monday, August 29, 2022.