Rena Barrett, a former loan officer with the Small Business Administration (SBA), has pleaded guilty to making false statements in connection with applications for more than $550,000 in fraudulent COVID-19 pandemic loans. The plea was entered on August 11, 2025.
United States Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg commented on the case: “The Economic Injury Disaster Loan program provided critical relief to small businesses and supported our economy during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is intolerable that Barrett—who was entrusted to process loans for desperate small businesses—placed her personal greed ahead of doing her job honestly. With the help of our law enforcement partners, we are committed to rooting out and punishing government employees who betray the public’s trust.”
Special Agent-in-Charge Amaleka McCall-Brathwaite of SBA Office of the Inspector General’s Eastern Region said, “Abusing authority to fraudulently obtain Economic Injury Disaster Loan funds betrays the trust of small businesses relying on critical relief. OIG is committed to protecting taxpayer dollars and ensuring accountability for those who exploit vital programs for personal gain.”
Steven N. Schrank, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Georgia and Alabama, added: “Government employees who exploit their positions for personal gain betray the public trust and undermine critical programs designed to help those in need. HSI remains steadfast in its commitment to working with our partners to hold accountable those who abuse their authority and harm the integrity of pandemic relief efforts.”
According to information presented in court, Barrett became an SBA employee in October 2020. In May 2021, she submitted a fraudulent Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) application for $170,000. Although SBA initially declined this loan application, Barrett later approved it herself in July 2021. After discovering that Barrett had abused her position by approving this loan and others involving herself or relatives, SBA found that she received nearly half of approximately $550,000 she sought through these actions before resigning from her post.
In a related matter, Sheena Thompson of Conyers, Georgia pleaded guilty on April 15, 2025 to making false statements while attempting to secure over $150,000 in fraudulent EIDL loans from SBA. Sentencing dates have been set: Barrett is scheduled for November 12, 2025; Thompson will be sentenced on August 28, 2025.
Separately on August 12, Detra Lewis of Atlanta admitted guilt regarding false statements made during an application process that resulted in more than $1.25 million being obtained through a Paycheck Protection Program loan filed under God’s Anointed Youth Ministry. Lewis's sentencing is set for November 14.
The investigations into Barrett and Thompson were conducted by the United States Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General along with Homeland Security Investigations; Lewis's case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Assistant United States Attorney Alex R. Sistla is prosecuting all three cases.
To strengthen efforts against pandemic-related frauds like these cases illustrate—and as part of ongoing national efforts—the Department of Justice established a COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force on May 17, 2021 [https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus]. This task force coordinates resources across government agencies aimed at investigating and prosecuting major domestic and international criminal actors involved in such schemes.
Anyone with information about attempted fraud related to COVID-19 can report tips via phone or online through resources provided by the Department of Justice [https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form].
Further inquiries may be directed toward the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office or accessed via their website at http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.