On December 18, 2024, in the Southern District of Ohio, Mykesha Smith was indicted on one count of wire fraud related to Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES Act) fraud.  Smith worked at the IRS, most recently as a tax examining technician. As an IRS employee, Smith was generally prohibited from receiving compensation for the preparation of taxes.

Smith prepared tax returns for compensation using the business name, "Smith Tax Empire." She held herself out as an individual who could prepare Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan applications for other individuals for pay and charged success fees of between $1,500 and $4,000 per loan or EIDL Advance. She would promote the EIDL and PPP loan programs to individuals regardless of whether the individuals actually owned a small business. Smith prepared and filed EIDL and PPP loan applications on behalf of other individuals which were false and fraudulent as to material matters. Additionally, Smith encouraged her tax clients to allow her to apply for EIDL and PPP loans for them and would overinflate the total amount of gross income and revenues claimed in the EIDL and PPP loan applications. Smith applied for at least 25 PPP loans and 60 EIDLs on behalf of herself and other individuals seeking over $1.7 million.

Source: The facts in this case narrative come from the following publicly available documents: S.D. Ohio, Indict. filed Dec. 18, 2024.