News Summary
Tiffanie Foster, a former employee of the Social Security Administration, faces federal charges for defrauding the U.S. government out of over $30,000 in pandemic-related funds. The indictment includes two counts of wire fraud after she submitted fraudulent applications for unemployment benefits and a Paycheck Protection Program loan. Foster’s deceptive actions were identified during an investigation into SSA employees exploiting relief programs, highlighting ongoing challenges in combating fraud within government assistance programs.
Kansas City – A former employee of the Social Security Administration (SSA) is facing serious legal consequences after being charged with defrauding the U.S. government out of pandemic-related funds. Tiffanie Foster, 48, was arrested on July 2, 2025, following an indictment by a federal grand jury on two counts of wire fraud.
The charges against Foster arise from allegations that she deceitfully received funds intended to assist individuals during the pandemic, including a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan and unemployment benefits. It is claimed that Foster submitted fraudulent documents and made non-factual statements as part of her applications for these benefits.
At the time she was committing these alleged fraudulent acts, Foster was working full-time at the SSA as a customer service representative. An investigation by the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee identified her as one of numerous SSA employees whose personal identifying information was reportedly exploited to secure loans or benefits illegitimately.
Details of the Fraudulent Activities
Foster applied for unemployment benefits in Michigan in July 2020, despite being a resident of Missouri and holding full-time employment with the SSA. Over the course of her fraudulent activity, it is estimated that she received more than $30,000 in unemployment benefits spanning from March 2020 to September 2021.
Additionally, in early 2021, Foster submitted an application for a PPP loan for her business, Exotic Indiscretions LLC. During this process, she provided altered financial documents to substantiate her claims. She presented a manipulated tax form that reported substantial business activity, claiming $152,675 in sales and $6,311 in profit, while her actual reported income was merely $1,350 in total sales and a loss of $1,032.
Foster also modified a bank statement to suggest a balance of $11,825; however, her actual bank account reflected merely $0.36 at that time. The Small Business Administration subsequently approved and forgave the PPP loan of $20,833 that Foster received based on these false representations.
Legal Consequences and Ongoing Prosecution
As the case progresses, Foster faces the potential of up to 20 years in federal prison without the possibility of parole for each of the wire fraud counts. In addition, she could be subjected to three years of supervised release following any prison term. The prosecution is being led by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda K. Hanson.
The investigation into Foster’s fraudulent activities was conducted by both the SSA’s Office of the Inspector General and the Department of Labor’s Office of the Inspector General, highlighting a coordinated effort to address fraudulent submissions related to pandemic relief funds.
Context of the Pandemic Relief Programs
Amid the economic challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. government established multiple relief programs, including the PPP and expanded unemployment benefits, to support workers and businesses affected by lockdowns and economic downturns. However, these programs have also faced problems with fraud, as individuals have exploited the system for personal gain.
The case of Tiffanie Foster underscores the ongoing challenges faced by regulatory agencies in combating fraud, especially during unprecedented times when swift assistance was needed. The circumstances also serve as a reminder of the critical importance of oversight in administering government-funded relief programs.
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Additional Resources
- Kansas City Star
- Wikipedia: Fraud
- Fox 4 KC
- Google Search: PPP loan fraud
- KMZU News
- Google Scholar: Unemployment fraud
- KSHB News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Wire Fraud
- Salina Post
- Google News: Fraudulent benefits
