A Memphis resident has been sentenced to federal prison for defrauding a COVID-19 relief program. The scheme targeted the “Emergency Cash Assistance” program, managed by the State of Tennessee and funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which was designed to support families who lost jobs or income due to the pandemic.
According to court records, Rochelle L. Turner, 32, submitted fraudulent unemployment letters claiming that she and others had lost their jobs because of COVID-19. Through this scheme, Turner attempted to obtain more than $15,000 from the relief program and caused an actual loss of $6,000.
Turner pleaded guilty on May 8, 2025, to making false claims against the United States. On August 14, 2025, Chief United States District Judge Sheryl H. Lipman sentenced her to five months in federal prison followed by five months of home detention. In addition, Turner will serve three years of supervised release and must pay restitution. Federal sentences do not allow for parole.
“This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General,” according to a statement from Joseph C. Murphy, Jr., Interim United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee.
Assistant United States Attorney Tony Arvin prosecuted the case.
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