A former police officer and attorney from Atlanta, who now runs his own business, has been convicted of defrauding the federal government of over $7 million in Paycheck Protection Program funds.
According to prosecutors, Shelitha Robertson is accused of using the funds her businesses received to purchase luxurious items such as a Rolls-Royce car, a motorcycle, and a 10-carat diamond ring worth $148,000, along with other extravagant purchases.
Robertson vehemently denied any wrongdoing in relation to the number of people employed by her four companies. She emphasized that her intention was solely to secure federal aid to support small businesses during the challenging times of the coronavirus pandemic.
She attributed her companies’ fraudulent 2020 PPP loan applications to her former friend and personal attorney, Chandra Norton, who admitted guilt in a separate prosecution.
After careful consideration, a jury consisting of seven men and five women reached a verdict. They found Robertson guilty on three counts of wire fraud, as well as single counts of money laundering and conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
Robertson, who has been out on bond since pleading not guilty to the five charges in December 2022, was promptly taken into custody until her sentencing, which has yet to be scheduled.
Federal prosecutor Ariel Glasner stated that Robertson had made threats to harm Norton upon arrest, as well as making threats towards another individual who later filed a police report.
Craig A. Gillen, Robertson’s lead attorney, explained that her comments to the arresting agents regarding Norton were made out of frustration and should not be considered a genuine threat. According to him, Robertson was also engaged in a business dispute with a contractor in Texas, but there was no mention of any threats being made.
“The defendant has no record of violence, anger, or danger towards anyone other than the statement she made upon her arrest,” Gillen stated.
Robertson displayed minimal reaction as U.S. District Judge Steven D. Grimberg announced the verdict, only occasionally shaking her head from side to side. Gillen mentioned that certain elements of the trial, such as the introduction of what he referred to as hearsay evidence, will be brought up during the appeal.
Prosecutors alleged that Robertson and Norton were close associates who collaborated to maximize their gains from PPP loans, ultimately acquiring nearly $8 million.
According to prosecutors, Robertson transferred $50,000 in PPP funding to her daughter, who has not faced any charges. Additionally, she withdrew $25,000 of the funds in cash and gave Norton a sum of $400,000.
Gillen claimed that Robertson had fallen prey to Norton’s scheme, which involved exploiting Robertson’s personal and professional details for her own financial gain. Norton admitted to being in a state of financial desperation.
Gillen informed the jury that Norton possesses an impressive skill set in manipulating documents and is regarded as a highly skilled individual in the field of technology. On the other hand, Robertson is more of a hands-on person who may struggle with computer operations.
“Norton was, and frankly still is, a master of deception,” Gillen said during his closing argument on Monday. “Norton told Ms. Robertson ‘Hey, you can get these PPP loans. I’ll handle it.’”
Both women successfully managed companies that were awarded multimillion-dollar water and sewer infrastructure contracts across metropolitan Atlanta.
In August 2020, Norton faced indictment and later admitted guilt to a single count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. As part of a plea deal, she has agreed to cooperate with the federal government in their case against Robertson, who was indicted in December 2022.
Norton, a former contractor for Atlanta and DeKalb County, has been disbarred after pleading guilty. Grimberg is set to sentence Norton in January.
Robertson has successfully secured PPP loans for her companies, including Atlanta Custom Motors, MO Griggs Contracting, Tritan, and The Renee Group. According to case records, only the latter was operational at the time, with 13 employees.
On the loan applications for Robertson’s companies, there were a total of 427 employees and monthly payroll expenses amounting to $2.8 million. According to prosecutors, The Renee Group’s annual payroll cost in 2019 was $762,674, which is significantly lower than what Robertson had asserted.
Robertson willingly signed the Renee Group loan application, acknowledging her awareness that Norton had also submitted similar applications for Robertson’s three inactive companies. According to Robertson, Norton informed her that the loans were determined by Robertson’s net worth.
Gillen said Robertson repaid the PPP funds she received, with interest, “because it was the right thing to do, not because she got caught.”
According to Prosecutor Bernita Malloy, Robertson, a former public defender, is described as a cunning and persuasive individual who actively took part in the fraudulent activities. The defense presented by Robertson is deemed illogical and completely absurd. According to Malloy, Norton allegedly submitted misleading loan applications at the behest of Robertson, who apparently dictated the desired loan amounts to Norton.
“There’s no level to which (Robertson) wouldn’t stoop to justify her criminal conduct,” Malloy said in her closing argument on Monday. “She disguised what she did to avoid getting caught. She thought she could wash her hands of it all.”
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