‘Love & Hip-Hop: Atlanta’ Star Sentenced To 17 Years In Prison For PPP Loan Fraud

Reality TV star and rapper Maurice “Mo” Fayne has been sentenced to 17½ years in prison for multiple charges including bank fraud and conspiracy for the misuse of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and wire fraud relating to the multimillion dollar Ponzi scheme.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Fayne was facing over 14 charges, but took a plea deal which ultimately led to him admitting he was guilty of conspiracy and wire fraud, bank fraud, and making false statements to financial institutions.

Fayne, who was once engaged to fellow Love & Hip Hop star Karlie Redd, submitted a fraudulent application for his trucking company on April 15, 2020, requesting more than $3 million in funding to pay business expenses and retain employees. Fayne claimed that his trucking business had “107 employees and an average payroll of $1,490,200”.

Instead of using the money for the purposes Fayne stated in his application, he ended up using the loan for “improper purposes,” including paying overdue child support, leasing a Rolls-Royce, starting a new business in Arkansas and buying custom jewelry.

Fayne had run a multimillion dollar Ponzi scheme from March 2013 to May 2020, and defrauded more than 20 people who had invested in his trucking business, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office statement.

“This sentence should serve notice that the FBI and our federal partners will investigate anyone who misdirects federal emergency assistance earmarked for businesses who need it to stay afloat,” said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “We won’t tolerate anyone driven by personal greed to pocket American taxpayer money that should be going to those who need it.”