Farmington Hills, MI – A former federal employee who took advantage of COVID-19 relief programs meant for struggling businesses is now headed to jail after failing to pay back tens of thousands of dollars she illegally collected.
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Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced that Tiesha Johnson, 57, formerly of Farmington Hills, was sentenced Jan. 28 by Oakland County Circuit Judge Michael Warren to 7 months in the Oakland County Jail, with credit for 18 days already served, after pleading no contest to three felony counts of False Pretenses $1,000-$20,000.
Johnson, who previously worked as an analyst for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, admitted to fraudulently obtaining two Paycheck Protection Program loans and one Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance while she was still employed by the federal government. The loans totaled $34,675 and were designed to keep legitimate small businesses afloat during the COVID-19 shutdowns by covering payroll and operating expenses.
Instead of using the funds for their intended purpose, investigators determined Johnson improperly took the money for herself, abusing programs that were created to help employers survive the economic collapse caused by the pandemic.
Johnson had originally been given an opportunity to avoid jail. In 2024, she received an 11-month delayed sentence that required her to repay the full $34,675 in restitution. When she failed to meet those terms, the court revoked the agreement and imposed the jail sentence now in effect.
Under the new ruling, Johnson still has one last chance to shorten her incarceration. If she pays the restitution within 60 days, she can qualify for Oakland County’s Cognitive Behavioral Program, which would allow her to earn jail credit through participation. If she does not, she will serve the time as ordered. She’s currently scheduled to be released July 5, 2026.
The case began in July 2022 when the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Inspector General referred the matter to the Michigan Attorney General’s Office after identifying potential federal loan fraud. Investigators confirmed Johnson took out two PPP loans and an EIDL advance while she was a federal employee, a violation of the rules governing those programs.
Johnson was eventually arrested in Dallas, Texas on Michigan warrants and transported back to Michigan, where she was arraigned in December 2023.
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