A Los Angeles woman has been indicted on charges of seeking more than $18 million through fraudulent applications for federal pandemic relief loans, the Justice Department announced Wednesday.
Marisela Nuno, 53, faces three counts of wire fraud and one count of money laundering. A federal grand jury in the Central District of California returned the indictment Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Quick fact checklist
☑ Defendant: Marisela Nuno, 53, of Los Angeles.
☑ Indictment returned: Nov. 3, 2026.
☑ Court: U.S. District Court, Central District of California.
☑ PPP funds sought: More than $15.7 million.
☑ EIDL funds sought: More than $2.6 million.
☑ Charges: Three counts of wire fraud; one count of money laundering.
☑ Maximum penalties: 20 years per wire fraud count; 10 years for money laundering.
☑ Investigators: FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation and SBA inspector general.
☑ Status: Charged; presumed innocent.
Prosecutors allege Nuno submitted applications seeking more than $15.7 million through the Paycheck Protection Program and more than $2.6 million through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program. Both programs provided relief under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act.
According to court documents, Nuno applied on behalf of businesses and other entities she claimed to own. The applications allegedly misrepresented employee numbers, average monthly payroll, gross revenue and eligibility for assistance.
Prosecutors also allege she submitted false tax documents to support the applications and used loan proceeds for unauthorized purposes, including property purchases, business startup expenses and payments to family members.
If convicted, Nuno faces up to 20 years in prison on each wire fraud count and up to 10 years on the money laundering count.
The FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, IRS Criminal Investigation and the Small Business Administration’s Office of Inspector General investigated the case.
Justice Department trial attorneys Ariel Glasner and Edward Emokpae are prosecuting.
The charges are allegations. Nuno is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. beyond a reasonable doubt.