The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia announced that a Florida attorney had been convicted for participating in a scheme to illegally obtain funding from a federal COVID-19 small business relief program. Following a four-day trial, 40-year-old Shaquandra Woods, of Jacksonville, Florida, was convicted of Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud.

As a result, Woods is subject to a statutory penalty of up to 20 years in prison as well as financial penalties and restitution. She may also face a period of supervised release upon completion of any prison sentence. The federal prison system does not have parole.

According to court records, Woods attempted to secure nearly $800,000 in COVID-19 finding for herself and others as a result of fraudulent applications. She successfully obtained more than $300,000 for herself. Sentencing will be scheduled by U.S. District Court Judge R. Stan Baker after a pre-sentence investigation by U.S. Probation Services.