LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Ganell Tubbs, 41, was indicted Thursday for defrauding almost $2 million in COVID-19 relief loans that were intended to aid with small businesses in Arkansas.
According to US Attorney Cody Hiland and Little Rock FBI Special Agent Diane Upchurch, Tubbs said she owned two businesses: The Little Piglet Soap Company, LLC, and Suga Girl Customs, LLC.
The indictment says neither of these businesses are in good standing and Tubb's personal address and phone number is listed as the business contact information.
Tubbs reportedly received $1,518,887 from her first application regarding Sugar Girl Customs, LLC. for PPP loans, and spent $8,000 on her personal student loan.
"The following week, according to the indictment, Tubbs spent approximately $6,000 in online purchases at retailers including Apple, Michael Kors, Sephora, Northface, Nike, and others," according to the US District Attorney statement of the indictment.
On May 5, Tubbs allegedly submitted another PPP application for The Little Piglet Soap Company. She received an additional loan of $414,375.
“These loans are meant to help small business owners who have suffered economically due to COVID-19 shutdowns,” Hiland said.
Tubbs has been charged with two counts of bank fraud, two counts of making a false statement on a loan application, and one count of engaging in a monetary transaction with proceeds of unlawful activity, according to the indictment.
“Numerous businesses across Arkansas are struggling to remain open during this COVID-19 pandemic, so our office has zero tolerance for anyone who fraudulently misuses federal funds intended to help companies weather this tough time,” said Upchurch.