The former Atlanta assistant city attorney, who was also a life advice podcaster, has been jailed for seven years after fraudulently obtaining approximately $15 million in COVID relief loans.
Shelitha Robertson, 62, used the ill-gotten funds to splurge on luxuries including a 10-carat diamond ring, a Rolls Royce and a motorbike.
The former policeman had obtained the money under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), a federal stimulus program that was created during the pandemic.
But just weeks before she was jailed, Robertson was still happily appearing on her daughter's 'Mommy & Me' podcast in which the pair gave their advice on how to deal with the world, including advising listeners on how to make money from work hard and “integrity”. '.
But Robertson didn't follow his own advice and decided to cash in on the scam, submitting one bogus loan application after another to the COVID relief program claiming he needed the cash to support four companies he owned.
What he said in the loan documents was extraordinary, claiming he had a workforce of more than 400, meaning he was entitled to millions of dollars in aid for each of the companies he claimed to run.
Former Atlanta Assistant City Attorney Shelitha Robertson was sentenced to seven years in prison for fraudulently obtaining approximately $15 million in COVID relief loans
Shelitha Robertson, 62, and her daughter Brii Renee hosted a Mommy & Me podcast in which the pair would offer “life advice” to their 300,000 followers.
Court documents show Robertson falsely claimed he was responsible for about 427 employees.
The number of “staff” in his “companies” allowed him to obtain huge PPP loans, which were designed to keep legitimate companies afloat during the pandemic.
In an October episode of the podcast that Robertson hosted alongside his daughter Brii Renee, he was asked if he would choose integrity over poverty when asked how he would react to the opportunity to make a quick buck.
“I choose integrity and whatever else it brings. I don't choose to sell your soul to the devil. Because that would mean I'm willing to belittle myself and degrade myself for what? A dollar,” Robertson began, knowing full well that the Department of Justice was already investigating him.
“The way my kids see me and respect me, it means more to me than making a quick buck to be something I'm not,” Robertson said, just weeks before she was taken to prison.
Robertson used the multimillion-dollar proceeds of his loans to buy luxury items, including a 10-carat diamond ring worth at least $150,000, as well as luxury vehicles, including Rolls.
Robertson will be nearly 70 when he leaves prison, leaving behind his influential daughter Brii Renee, who has more than 600,000 Instagram followers, seen here.
The DOJ also said he transferred funds to a co-conspirator, Chandra Norton, and other family members.
The couple had no such qualms about abusing this scheme, even submitting fake tax documents to back up their inflated income statements within each loan application.
A jury convicted Robertson of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering, and the judge sentenced her to seven years and three months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.
Robertson will be nearly 70 when he leaves prison, leaving behind influential daughter Brii, who is over 600,000 Instagram followerss, without a podcast partner.
It's a fall from grace for Robertson, who was Atlanta's assistant city attorney and had also been a city police officer.
In “Mommy and Me,” the pair discuss “navigating life's challenges,” according to a preview from Apple Podcasts.
In an October 2023 episode of the podcast, Robertson advises followers to “pursue your dream” because “the money will come.”
“When you have a passion for something you love, you can do it for free. Never chase the money. The money will come. Chase your passion, chase your dream. The money will come,” insists Robertson.
Her daughter, who was born through artificial insemination, posted a glowing tribute to her mother.
“I wouldn't be who I am today without the amazing mom, like, con artist you are!” daughter Renee wrote just a few weeks ago.
“Thank you for every sacrifice you've made and for every dream you've pushed me to achieve!”
In court, Robertson tried to appeal to the judge before his sentence.
The money was going to legitimate businesses that needed it to survive the pandemic
“I'm broken,” he said.
'My business is gone. My (law) license is gone. My assets are gone. All I have left is my family and my faith in God.'
He said he deeply regretted the impact his conduct had had on his family, wife and community.
“I'm not that person who tries to take advantage of anyone or any situation,” he said. “I've realized what I've done.”
Excerpt from Shelitha Robertson's criminal indictment showing the shell companies that were paid millions of dollars in government funds
Court documents show how millions of dollars were distributed to Robertson's companies
Robertson appeared regularly on his daughter's podcast where he advised followers to work hard and not be motivated by money.
As part of her spending spree, the 62-year-old splashed out on a Rolls Royce car
U.S. District Judge Steven D. Grimberg said the loss of the $14 million in funds was staggering.
“It was his level of guidance and confidence in being able to commit this level of fraud undetected that instigated him in the first place,” Grimberg told the court.
“Motivated by greed, Robertson fraudulently obtained funds that were designated to provide emergency financial assistance to struggling small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. '
“It was his level of guidance and confidence in being able to commit this level of fraud undetected that instigated him in the first place,” Grimberg told the court.
Robertson used the proceeds of the loan to buy luxury items, including a 10-carat diamond ring
Robertson has run for public office several times, including as a High Court judge
“Motivated by greed, Robertson fraudulently obtained funds that were designated to provide emergency financial assistance to struggling small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. '
“Today, the defendant in this case has been found responsible for fraudulently obtaining millions of dollars through the Paycheck Protection Program and using those stolen funds to enrich themselves while small businesses were struggling during the pandemic,” added Kyle Myles, special agent in charge of the FDIC.
“The FDIC's Office of Inspector General remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners to pursue and bring to justice those who took advantage of these pandemic relief programs and threatened the integrity of our nation's financial institutions.”
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