Christina Williams of Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty on May 19 before United States District Judge Joshua D. Wolson to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, according to an announcement by United States Attorney David Metcalf.
The case concerns a scheme that took place from January 2020 through April 2021. Prosecutors say Williams conspired with her mother, Rosemarie Dixon, and others to conduct financial transactions using funds they knew were the proceeds of fraud. The transactions were designed to disguise the source and ownership of these funds.
Court filings show that in March 2020, Williams and others registered a business called Williams Royal Real Estate LLC in New Jersey with Williams listed as owner. Authorities said this company never had any legitimate business operations or employees but was used to open bank accounts at Philadelphia-area financial institutions. Similarly, Dixon registered another company called Dixon Delish Kitchen LLC in July 2020 for the same purpose.
Investigators found that fraudulent Economic Injury and Disaster Loan applications were submitted to the U.S. Small Business Administration and proceeds deposited into accounts controlled by Williams. In addition, authorities said proceeds from business email compromise fraud were deposited into accounts controlled by Dixon. The defendants then moved these funds between various business and personal bank accounts as well as other sham businesses involved in the conspiracy.
The total amount laundered or attempted to be laundered was $7,171,730. Prosecutors allege that Williams kept some of these funds for herself with permission from another participant referred to as Person 1.
Williams is scheduled for sentencing on September 9 and faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment along with possible supervised release and fines totaling up to $14,343,460. Dixon pleaded guilty last month on similar charges and is also scheduled for sentencing on September 9.
