Forsyth County woman faked documents to get COVID-19 relief funds, U.S. DOJ says
- Shidonna Raven
- Sep 29
- 2 min read
by: Michaela Ratliff
August 7, 2025
Source: The Guardian
Photo / Image Source: Unsplash,
FORSYTH COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP) — A Forsyth County woman pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of wire fraud in connection with a scheme regarding COVID-19 emergency relief funds, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
According to court documents, in 2021 and 2022, Shakerra Aarka Jones, 48, submitted fraudulent applications to the City of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program to obtain money to “personally enrich herself.”
To qualify for ERA funds, low-income residents and property owners who were behind on rent and utilities due to the pandemic had to submit supporting documentation.
Jones allegedly submitted applications as though her business, BAS Tax Service, was the property owner to whom rent was due. In the documents, Jones submitted fake rental agreements, fake arrears letters and fake property management agreements with false information and forged signatures, according to the DOJ.
When the applications were approved, the checks were issued to BAS Tax Service as the property owner, and, with one exception, Jones deposited them into the bank account in the name of Shakerra Jones d/b/a BAS Tax Service.
In total, Jones fraudulently obtained $135,501 in ERA funds.
Sentencing is scheduled to take place on Nov. 24 in Greensboro. Jones faces a maximum of 20 years in prison.
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