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Tiesha Johnson, a former analyst for the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), was sentenced Wednesday in Oakland County Circuit Court to seven months in the county jail for defrauding COVID relief funds of $34,675 while a federal employee.
Authorities, who launched an investigation in 2022, accused Johnson, 57, formerly of Farmington Hills, of fraudulently obtaining Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) from the federal government.
Johnson was arrested in Dallas on a warrant from the Michigan Attorney General’s Office and arraigned in Michigan in December 2023. In 2024, she pleaded no contest to three counts of false pretenses, meaning she accepted a conviction without admitting guilt.
She initially received an 11-month delayed sentence but failed to pay $34,675 in restitution as part of the agreement. Now, if restitution is paid within 60 days, Johnson may participate in the Cognitive Behavioral Program for jail credit.
“Federal assistance programs are meant to help people during difficult times, and when someone defrauds the system, they take resources away from those who truly need them,” said Attorney General Nessel in a statement. “My office remains committed to holding accountable those who misuse taxpayer funds.”
