An L.A. businesswoman received millions by claiming monthly payroll that was fictional, inflating her employee roster, and referring to a cannabis shop as a lawn-care company, federal prosecutors allege.
Now a federal grand jury has indicted Marisela Nuño, who is accused of attempting to defraud COVID-19 relief programs of about $18 million.
Nuño, 53, has been charged with three counts of wire fraud and one count of money laundering, according to the Department of Justice.
The former L.A. County commissioner and chief executive officer of International Developers and Engineering Group Inc., could not be reached for comment. Her attorney, Thomas O’Brien, declined to comment when reached by phone.
Prosecutors said Nuño sought to obtain the funds through the Paycheck Protection Program and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, both of which were created under the Coronavirus Aid,…
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