Ryan K. Buchanan U.S. Attorney | US Attorney's office Northern District of Georgia
ATLANTA - Mycheal Arnell Brady, also known as "Michael Brady," has been indicted on federal charges of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. He is accused of stealing COVID-19 relief funds and submitting fraudulent federal tax refunds using stolen identities. Additionally, Brady faces charges for possessing unauthorized access devices containing personal information, including Social Security numbers, of multiple identity theft victims.
"Brady’s alleged scheme defrauded programs designed to support legitimate businesses struggling during the COVID-19 relief pandemic," stated U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. "To further perpetrate his fraud, he also allegedly used stolen personal information from unsuspecting victims to file fraudulent tax returns and obtain refunds."
"This case demonstrates our unwavering commitment to protecting the integrity of COVID-19 relief programs," said SBA OIG’s Eastern Region Special Agent in Charge Amaleka McCall-Braithwaite. "Fraudulent activities undermine the purpose of these essential programs, designed to support legitimate small businesses struggling during the pandemic. I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s office and our law enforcement partners for their support and dedication to ensuring that those who exploit federal programs are held accountable."
"Mycheal Brady’s alleged theft of funds under the CARES Act and other criminal activity led to his indictment today," said Demetrius Hardeman, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Atlanta Field Office. "It is only a matter of time before IRS Criminal Investigation special agents and our law enforcement partners uncover the crimes of many others who defrauded the American people during the COVID-19 pandemic."
According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, the indictment and other court information: Mycheal Brady allegedly submitted several fraudulent Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan applications to authorized lenders and the Small Business Administration. These applications contained fraudulent information regarding gross revenues and fake employees at his various companies and sought over $1.9 million in funding. He also allegedly submitted fraudulent tax forms and bank statements to support his loan applications. Brady reportedly received more than $330,000 from these loans, which were not used for authorized business purposes.
In connection with his schemes, Brady allegedly possessed dozens of Social Security numbers belonging to identity theft victims which he then used to apply for federal tax refunds without their knowledge or consent.
Mycheal Arnell Brady was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge J. Christopher C. Bly on August 5, 2024, following his indictment by a federal grand jury on July 23, 2024. The public is reminded that an indictment contains only charges; the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
The case is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation and U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Natasha Cooper and Samir Kaushal are prosecuting this case.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal resources across government agencies to combat pandemic-related fraud more effectively.
For further information or to report allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 relief efforts:
- National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline: 866-720-5721
- NCDF Web Complaint Form: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form
Contact:
U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office
USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov
(404) 581-6016
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