https://www.kmbc.com/article/kansas-city-woman-pleads-guilty-ppp-loan-fraud-treasury-check-scheme/64705119

A Kansas City woman has pleaded guilty to multiple federal charges tied to a broad fraud operation involving stolen U.S. Treasury checks, counterfeit financial activity and fraudulent pandemic relief loan applications.

Briauna Adams, 28, admitted in federal court Wednesday to committing wire fraud, money laundering, theft of government funds, and conspiracy to commit aggravated identity theft and other crimes.

Adams was linked to two separate fraud schemes totaling more than $2.6 million.

In one case, Adams deposited a counterfeit U.S. Treasury check worth over $1.4 million into an investment account she opened using another person’s identity.

Investigators said the deposit was reversed before the company incurred a financial loss.

Federal agents executed a search warrant at her rented townhome in Raymore, Missouri, on Nov. 14, 2024, and discovered 253 stolen Treasury checks valued at roughly $700,000.

In a separate conspiracy, prosecutors say Adams worked with others to file false applications for Paycheck Protection Program loans intended to aid businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prosecutors said those fraudulent applications resulted in a loss of approximately $540,000.

Adams faces a potential sentence of up to 92 years in federal prison without parole.