Two women plead guilty to separate federal fraud schemes

Two women have pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges involving the theft of significant sums of money through distinct schemes.

In North Carolina, Pamela Humphrey, a 44-year-old professor at Fayetteville Tech Community College, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Humphrey admitted to defrauding the Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program by submitting a false application for a business in Robeson County. She allegedly misrepresented employee numbers and gross revenue to secure a $150,000 COVID-19 relief loan, which she then transferred to a personal account. She faces a maximum of 30 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.

In Maryland, 52-year-old Tara Taylor Williams pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud after embezzling more than $730,000 from a private country club. Working in accounting and human resources, Williams allegedly created a fictitious employee using a deceased individual’s Social Security number and a fake address. She directed fraudulent paychecks into her personal account between 2010 and 2025. Following her termination, she reportedly attempted to conceal the scheme by altering documents and shredding evidence. Williams faces up to 20 years in federal prison.