She pled no contest to making a false statement in September and paid $10,000 to Macomb County in restitution.

Authorities said she claimed her business was 51% veteran-owned and had between 100-249 employees.

Eastpointe Mayor Monique Owens allegedly fraudulently applied for a grant under the Cares Act in November 2020.

The nation’s top financial regulators told Congress Friday that threats to financial stability remain elevated even though the country has recovered from the worst economic shocks stemming from the COVID pandemic.

Federal Reserve officials agreed at their last meeting that if the economy continued to improve, they could start reducing their monthly bond purchases as soon as next month and bring them to an end by the middle of 2022.

The Senate parliamentarian has told Democrats that their newest proposal for helping millions of immigrants stay in the U.S. permanently could not be included in their $3.5 trillion social and environment bill.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is defending the ultra-low interest rate policies he has pursued since the pandemic decimated the economy more than 18 months ago.

Broken security cameras at federal prisons across the U.S. have allowed inmates to escape from prison undetected and hampered investigations into misconduct.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen says that President Joe Biden’s spending proposals represent will address long-overdue U.S. infrastructure needs and prepare the country to meet future challenges.

Nearly $4 million in rent, mortgage, and utility assistance is available for qualified Oakland County residents whose payments are overdue because of hardship from the COVID-19 pandemic.

A rental crisis spurred by the pandemic prompted many states to make bold promises to help renters, but most failed to deliver on them after Congress passed the sweeping CARES Act in March 2020.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, there were calls for donations and fundraisers for Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) to protect frontline workers against coronavirus.

Gifted by the Area Agency on Aging 1-B (AAA 1-B), the electronic cats and dogs bring their owners comfort and companionship by purring, barking, blinking, wagging tails and turning their heads.

Many small businesses are eligible for thousands of dollars in money from the federal government.

ANN ARBOR – The Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (TheRide) has partnered with the Washtenaw County Health Department to provide transportation to and from the county’s mass COVID vaccination site at Eastern Michigan University’s Convocation Center. Service began on Wednesday and anyone who has a scheduled appointment at the EMU site can use the shuttles. “This is an important step in making our mass vaccination site at EMU more accessible. We’re thankful to the TheRide for working with us to provide transportation at no cost to riders,” Loveluck said in a news release. The shuttles operate every 30 minutesThe shuttles are limited to 20 individuals per vehicle.

DETROIT – Wayne County is disbursing $4 million in COVID-19 pandemic relief grants. This is possible through the “Wayne County Nonprofit COVID-19 Relief Fund” launched in October 2020. “Far too many of our neighbors and families are facing unimaginable hardship and loss, and throughout this crisis, Wayne County nonprofit organizations have stepped up in big ways,” said Evans. Background on the Wayne County Nonprofit Relief Fund:Eligibility requirements for awardees include:Registered 501c3 organizations in good standing with the Internal Revenue Service. Located within Wayne County.

The holdups mean a weekend session now appears virtually certain, and a top lawmaker warned that a government shutdown this weekend can't be ruled out. Now, Republicans are motivated chiefly to extend business subsidies and some jobless benefits, and provide money for schools and vaccines. The urgency was underscored Thursday by the weekly unemployment numbers, which revealed that 885,000 people applied for jobless benefits last week, the highest weekly total since September. Some Democrats also mourned the exclusion of a $500 million aid package to help states run their elections. The emerging package would combine the $900 billion in COVID-19 relief with a $1.4 trillion government-wide funding bill.

WASHINGTON – Congressional negotiators closed in Wednesday on a $900 billion COVID-19 economic relief package that would deliver additional help to businesses, $300 per week jobless checks, and $600 stimulus payments to most Americans. But lawmakers briefed on the outlines of the aid bill freely shared them. President-elect Joe Biden is eager for an aid package to prop up the economy and deliver direct aid to the jobless and hungry, even though the package falls short of what Democrats want. The frightening, record surge in COVID caseloads and deaths, combined with troubling economic indicators, however, is mandating an agreement, though the emerging package contains less economic stimulus than the March aid bill. With Congress otherwise getting ready to close up shop, lawmakers are eager to use the relief package to carry other unfinished business.

ANN ARBOR – A local group called the Service Industry Workers of the Ann Arbor Area, or SIWA3, has launched a fundraiser for service workers in Washtenaw County as the holidays approach. “We recognize the plight that service workers are in right now,” said SIWA3 founder Gabrielle Bussell. Since then, she has thrown her efforts into organizing and raising awareness full time for service industry workers in the area. Since the pandemic began, Bussell and her team have received more than 200 testimonials from local service workers about workplace grievances. 5% of workers reported employers refusing to allow sick workers to go home.

The duo were the architects of the $1.8 trillion CARES Act, the landmark relief bill passed in March. Here are the top issues for the end-stage COVID-19 relief talks. ___JOBLESS BENEFITSThe CARES Act created a $600 per-week bonus COVID-19 unemployment benefit that sustained household incomes and consumer demand during the springtime shutdowns. House Democrats support the idea, but it is unpopular with many Senate Republicans and was left out of a scaled-back Senate GOP plan. ___LIABILITY SHIELDBusinesses reopening during the pandemic have for months been seeking a shield against lawsuits claiming negligence for COVID-19 outbreaks.

The duo were the architects of the $1.8 trillion CARES Act, the landmark relief bill passed in March. Here are the top issues for the end-stage COVID-19 relief talks. ___JOBLESS BENEFITSThe CARES Act created a $600 per-week bonus COVID-19 unemployment benefit that sustained household incomes and consumer demand during the springtime shutdowns. House Democrats support the idea, but it is unpopular with many Senate Republicans and was left out of a scaled-back Senate GOP plan. ___LIABILITY SHIELDBusinesses reopening during the pandemic have for months been seeking a shield against lawsuits claiming negligence for COVID-19 outbreaks.

Faulting inaction in Washington, governors and state lawmakers are racing to get needed pandemic relief to small businesses, the unemployed, renters and others affected by the widening coronavirus outbreak. Funded through the CARES Act, it offered grants to small businesses, bars and restaurants, low-income renters, arts groups, and colleges and universities. “It’s shameful that they have not acted in Congress, especially (Senate Majority Leader Mitch) McConnell and the Republican Senate, to throw a lifeline to small businesses,” he said. Republicans have proposed a $300 million aid package to small businesses and nonprofits, but the legislation is stalled. “This isn’t like all the blue states are hurting and all the red states are humming along.

The Fed announced no new actions after its latest policy meeting but left the door open to provide further assistance in the coming months. The Fed's policy statement, issued after a two-day meeting, made no mention of lawmakers' failure to act. The Fed’s latest policy meeting coincided with an anxiety-ridden election week and an escalation of the virus across the country. “All of us have a role to play, to keep appropriate social distance and to wear masks in public.”The central bank's policy statement Thursday was approved on a 10-0 vote. Another dissenter in September, Neel Kashkari, head of the Minneapolis Fed, was absent, with his alternate, Mary Daly of the San Francisco Fed, approving the statement.

(Drew Angerer/Pool via AP)WASHINGTON – Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell warned Tuesday that a tentative recovery from the pandemic recession could falter unless the federal government supplies additional economic support. But the U.S. economy still faces threats, and without further aid, those downward trends could still derail the recovery, the chairman said. Too little support would lead to a weak recovery, creating unnecessary hardship for households and businesses. In recent months, in speeches and in testimony to Congress, Powell has repeatedly urged lawmakers to enact an additional economic aid package. “Still, since it appears that many will undergo extended periods of unemployment, there is likely to be a need for further support,” Powell said.

Mnuchin agreed that business loans and enhanced unemployment support would be good priorities for Congress to back in any new package. Pressed to state what the top priorities should be, Powell cited providing more support through the popular Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses and boosting unemployment benefits. The original relief package provided a $600-a-week federal unemployment benefit, on top of whatever jobless aid a state provides. Powell repeated his view that providing more support was essential to keep the economy on a sustained upturn. Mnuchin was pressed by some senators to further simplify government forms that businesses need to provide to qualify for having their Paycheck Protection Program loans forgiven.

A Novi man was arrested and charged in a wire fraud scheme involving $3.1 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. According to the U.S. Attorneys Office Eastern District of Michigan, 44-year-old Antonio George is charged in a criminal complaint with one count of wire fraud. The PPP loan is guaranteed by Small Business Administration under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES Act). Small businesses across Michigan have received loans from the Paycheck Protection Program, and these loans have kept these businesses alive, said U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider in the release. Every dollar stolen from the program is a dollar stolen from struggling businesses in need.

In a virtual press conference, Governor Whitmer announced she’s was lending a helping hand the many schools districts and colleges that are having a hard time transitioning to online learning because of COVID-19. Aug. 19, 2020: Michigan coronavirus (COVID-19) cases up to 94,278; Death toll now at 6,349“Today I am announcing $65 million in CARES Act funding for schools that need it the most. Whether it’s helping them access PPE or cleaning supplies or helping students mitigate the impact of learning Loss in districts that need it the most,” said Governor Whitmer. “We have to do everything we can to protect our students, our educators and support staff from Covid-19 and all of their families of course,” Governor Whitmer Proclaimed. We still need the federal government to work together on a bi-partisan recovery package to support all Michigan Students and educators,” Governor Whitmer concluded.

Whitmer dedicates $65M in federal funds to help Michigan schoolsPublished: August 19, 2020, 5:17 pmMichigan is using $65 million in federal funding to support school districts that are most significantly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Michigan is using $65 million in federal funding to support school districts that are most significantly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. The money is for school districts, higher education institutions, and “other education-related entities that have been most significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,” according to the governor’s office. Districts will receive funding based on their numbers of economically disadvantaged students, special education students, and English language learners. Student Mental Health : Funding would enhance access to remote and in-person student mental health services. Remote Learning Materials and Training (digital and non-digital): Funds could address both digital and non-digital content where remote learning continues as an instructional delivery model.

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) approved the second amendment of the 2019 Program Year Action Plan for $41.9 million to be incorporated in Community Development Block Grant’s (CDBG) Coronavirus Response funds. Related: Macomb County offering $5,000 small business grants; applications due June 24MSF approved an amendment to the Program Year Action Plan in May, adding $20.5 million for COVID-19. With the funding, counties would be reimbursed for unbudgeted expenditures allocated for prevention and preparation in response to COVID-19. Small business restart programThe MSF also adopted amended guidelines to the Michigan Small Business Restart Program. With the amendment, small businesses that received grants through the Michigan Small Business Relief Program would be eligible for grants from the restart program.

MSCOMB COUNTY, Mich. – Small businesses have until June 24 to submit an application for Macomb County’s Small Business Sustainability Grant. “The business community in Macomb County has helped us respond to this public health crisis in so many ways,” Hackel said. “Our small business sustainability grant will aid us in reacting to the economic crisis we now face. Our objective is to inject much needed resources into our economy by supporting local companies.”The small business sustainability grant program and application process is currently open. The grants are part of the Macomb County CARES for Small Business Program, a $70 million initiative made possible through the county’s $152 million allocation of federal CARES Act funding.

ANN ARBOR – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) announced Wednesday that the University of Michigan will receive more than $1 million in funding to advance research efforts on the novel coronavirus. The University of Michigan and Michigan State University have received several CARES Act-funded awards from the National Science Foundation as of May 10. “Science and research are incredibly important at this time and will empower us to defeat this virus,” Dingell said in a news release. “We must always support science and it is great to see the University of Michigan is being entrusted to help lead these efforts.”✉ Like what you’re reading? Related reading:More information on NSF-funded programs and awards in Michigan can be found on the NSF state fact sheets.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of the Treasury and IRS released figures on the current status of U.S. economic impact payments on Friday. The federal government is providing economic impact payments -- also known as stimulus payments -- to residents in response to financial hardships faced by Americans amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Officials expect to deliver more than 150 million payments in total. The Treasury released a document that shows the number of economic impact payments provided within each state and their total dollar amounts. The document says 4,081,884 payments have been distributed among Michiganders amid the pandemic, totaling $7,045,417,642 as of Saturday.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Justice announced Tuesday that two men from Rhode Island have been charged with fraudulently seeking SBA Paycheck Protection Loans amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Two businessmen -- David A. Staveley, aka Kurt D. Sanborn, 52, and David Butziger, 51 -- from Warwick, Rhode Island have been charged for conspiring to unlawfully obtain forgivable loans under the CARES Act for non-existent businesses. The charges follow after Staveley allegedly requested more than $438,500 in loans for dozens of employees at three restaurants in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, officials said. “Tens of millions of Americans have lost their jobs and have had their lives thrown into chaos because of the coronavirus pandemic. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Chief Lawrence Atkinson of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee H. Vilker for the District of Rhode Island.

LANSING, Mich. – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced Friday that $685 million in COVID-19 relief funds will be allocated to Public Housing Authorities (PHA) across the country. MORE: Coronavirus in Michigan: Here’s where we stand as of SundayThe funds, made available through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, will help residents living in public housing by supporting coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak prevention and response measures, officials said. RELATED: HUD to begin allocating $3 billion to help low-income familiesMichigan PHAs will receive $11 million in funding from HUD. “Public Housing Authorities have a vital role to play in our COVID‑19 recovery efforts,” said Joseph Galvan, HUD Midwest Regional Administrator. “We will continue working diligently to overcome this as expeditiously as possible.”Click here to read the official announcement from HUD.

DETROIT – There’s confusion circulating online about whether people need to pay back the federal stimulus checks being sent out. Several videos circulating on social media claim that you’ll eventually have to pay it back next year. WDIV’s Trust Index verification team reviewed the claim and determined this is not true. The Associated Press confirmed with the IRS and Department of Treasury you do not have to repay the stimulus check. Share it with our Trust Index team and we’ll review.

Local 4′s Trust Index challenges the misinformation that there’s a catch to the stimulus checks. If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566.

DETROIT – The IRS tweeted Saturday that payments to qualifying Americans with direct deposit accounts set up had begun to receive their coronavirus relief payment. RELATED: Financial expert helps you manager your money during the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisisThose who don’t have direct deposit information registered with the IRS could wait months for checks to be mailed. The IRS is expected to roll out an online tool to help those that have not registered direct deposit do so. #IRS deposited the first Economic Impact Payments into taxpayers’ bank accounts today. For #COVIDreliefIRS updates see: https://t.co/hEEWmgHA9V pic.twitter.com/2bSHOTjMAS — IRS (@IRSnews) April 11, 2020The CARES Act that authorized the direct payments only approved a one-time deposit, but additional legislation could be passed in the future.

Under the CARES Act, individuals who are not already eligible for Michigan’s unemployment programs will now be provided a set amount of $600 a week for up to four months on top of the state benefit. These newly eligible individuals include self-employed workers, independent contractors, low-wage workers and those with a limited work history. This applies to workers already in the unemployment system and eligible employees about to apply. These workers do not need to reapply and those about to apply do not need to take additional steps and should file as usual. They will be notified by the agency with any additional action that may need to be taken.

JACKSON, Mich. – Michigan Congressman Tim Walberg announced nearly $2 million in federal grants for two health centers in Michigan’s 7th district on Wednesday. To aid their response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Center for Family Health in Jackson County will receive $1,039,385 and the Family Medical Center of Michigan in Lenawee and Monroe Counties will receive $839,300 among them, officials said. Related: Coronavirus in Michigan: Here’s where we stand today“The Coronavirus has placed an enormous strain on every facet of our health care system,” said Walberg. “Community health centers are on the front lines of providing patient-centered care, especially during a public health emergency. This additional funding comes at a critical time, and I will continue my efforts to ensure Michigan’s health care workers and providers have the necessary resources to combat the Coronavirus.”The federal grants were authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, officials said.