Texas "Tax Boss" Scams $8.5M in PPP Loans

MANSFIELD, TX – A Mansfield businesswoman was sentenced to 86 months in federal prison after pleading guilty on January 16 in connection with a fraudulent scheme to acquire nearly $8.5 million in PPP loans.

Tamara Starks, 42, pleaded guilty to wire fraud in September 2024. U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman sentenced her to nearly 7 years in prison and ordered her to repay $4,476,523.73.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office Northern District, from May 2020 to May 2021, Starks carried out a scheme to scam the Paycheck Protection Program by submitting fake loan applications.

She provided false payroll and tax information for businesses she and her husband owned and helped others get PPP loans. Starks and her co-conspirators submitted over 100 fake applications and received just under $4.5 million in PPP funds.

Once the loans were approved, Starks directed the recipients to set up fake payrolls through third-party vendors to make it look like the funds were being used correctly. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, she received money back from the “employees” and used the funds for personal expenses. 

The PPP was created as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, passed in March 2020.

The act was designed to help small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic by offering forgivable loans for job retention and other business expenses.

Starks also charged a “fee” to loan recipients for helping them get the loans.

According to Starks' Facebook page, she and her husband own a tax preparation service together called Sight Capital Consulting, LLC. She also owns a beauty studio in Arlington called Treasure Chest Virgin Hair Company. Her bio on social media describes her as the "Real Tax Boss of Texas, Service Bureau, Professional Tax Sofware, Credit Repair & Biz Consultant."