In a striking case of alleged fraud, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has charged a Roselle couple, both U.S. Postal Service employees, with exploiting federal COVID-19 relief programs intended to aid struggling small businesses and unemployed Americans. Genesis Sherrod, 46, and Randall Walker, 55, are accused of fraudulently obtaining Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans while receiving federal disability benefits and working for the Postal Service.
The Allegations
According to the charges, Sherrod and Walker each applied for and received two PPP loans in 2021, totaling $49,999 and $41,666, respectively. The couple allegedly claimed to own businesses that did not exist and failed to disclose the loans on their federal benefit forms. At the time, both were on disability leave and receiving federal disability benefits from their Postal Service jobs
“It is shameful that two federal employees would take advantage of the federal COVID-era assistance programs intended to help small businesses and unemployed Americans survive the pandemic,” said Attorney General Raoul. “Federal disability benefits and PPP loans are intended to provide support to vulnerable Americans, and I will continue to hold public workers accountable for using these critical programs as their own slush funds.”
Sherrod faces multiple felony charges, including theft of government property, loan fraud, forgery, and income tax fraud, with potential sentences ranging from three to 15 years in prison. Walker is charged with similar offenses, including theft by deception, loan fraud, forgery, and income tax fraud, carrying potential sentences of up to seven years in prison. Both are scheduled to appear in court on April 21, 2025.
A Broader Crackdown on Fraud
The case was referred to the Attorney General’s office by the U.S. Postal Service Office of the Inspector General (OIG). Special Agent-in-Charge Dennus Bishop of the OIG emphasized the importance of safeguarding federal programs. “Today’s charges send a clear message that workers’ compensation abuse and exploitation of the CARES Act are crimes with serious consequences,” Bishop said. “The USPS OIG and the Illinois Attorney General’s Office remain committed to ensuring the accountability and integrity of U.S. Postal Service employees.”
This case is part of Attorney General Raoul’s ongoing efforts to combat pandemic-related fraud. His office has prosecuted dozens of individuals for PPP loan fraud and referred numerous investigations to state’s attorneys for further action.
