Former DC Official Admits to Applying for Fake Business Loans, Using Money to Pay off Student Loans

A former D.C. official admitted to stealing more than $800,000 in pandemic relief loans in court Thursday.

According to the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia, 40-year-old Wendy Nicole Villatoro worked at the D.C. Homeland Security Commissioner when she submitted fraudulent applications to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Evidence shows that between March 31, 2020, and Aug. 4, 2021, Villatoro submitted eight PPP loan applications, all under the names of fake businesses.

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In total, Villatoro tried to steal between $2.6 million and $5.5 million and successfully secured over $844,000 in PPP and EID funds. Officials say she used the stolen money to pay off her student loans, pay off the car loan on a BMW SUV, and buy luxury items.

This is the LinkedIn account of the ex-Homeland Security official — and current Ag. Dept. employee— who pled guilty yesterday to stealing $880K from the COVID PPP scheme.
She says she’s a “disruptor” (I’ll say!) working on her PhD in cybersecurity. Connect with her if you’re… pic.twitter.com/nk2mBUiBjy

— Ken Silva (@JD_Cashless) November 15, 2024

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