United States v. Michael and Tiffany Fullerton

In this episode, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit affirms the convictions and multi-year sentences of Michael and Tiffany Fullerton for their roles in a $3 million COVID-19 relief fraud. The couple conspired to submit fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program loan applications by using defunct businesses, fabricated tax records, and stolen identities. The court details how they laundered the stolen funds through complex bank transfers and out-of-state ventures to purchase luxury items like real estate, jewelry, and high-end vehicles. On appeal, the court rejected Michael's challenges to his sentencing enhancements for leadership and sophisticated means, as well as Tiffany’s request for a new trial. The judges concluded that the evidence of their intentional deception was overwhelming, including Michael’s admitted plan to take the full blame for the conspiracy. Despite affirming the primary rulings, the case was remanded solely to fix a clerical error regarding Tiffany’s specific counts of conviction.