MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA – Zsa Zsa Bouvier Couch, a 55-year-old resident of Montgomery, Alabama, was sentenced to 45 months in prison for fraudulent activities related to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), as announced by Acting United States Attorney Jonathan S. Ross. Following her prison term, Couch will also undergo three years of supervised release. It is noted that federal inmates are not eligible for parole.
On September 27, 2023, Couch was convicted by a jury on multiple counts, including bank fraud, making false statements to a federally insured bank, and money laundering. She received $609,687.47 from the PPP, which she distributed among herself, her husband, and other family members, using part of the funds to purchase luxury vehicles.
The PPP, part of the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, was enacted in March 2020 to provide emergency financial assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Department of Justice’s COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force, established on May 17, 2021, focuses on combating pandemic-related fraud.
Acting United States Attorney Ross emphasized the seriousness of Couch’s actions, highlighting the misuse of funds intended to support individuals and businesses affected by the pandemic. FBI Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown and Acting Special Agent in Charge Demetrius Hardeman of IRS Criminal Investigation also stressed the importance of accountability for such fraud.
The case was investigated by the FBI, IRS-Criminal Investigations, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, and the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorneys J. Patrick Lamb and Joel Feil prosecuted the case.
The public is encouraged to report any allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 to the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud.