Nikita Cannady: Memphis daycare owner accused of PPP loan fraud, buys a Rolls Royce

A Memphis daycare owner and businesswoman identified as Nikita Cannady has been accused of PPP loan fraud. She was served a federal indictment after allegedly misusing funding received during the pandemic. 

Court documents allege Nikita Cannady misused more than $3 million in federal loans and fraudulent insurance claims. WREG Television station reported.

Cannady “unlawfully obtained money and other property through false and fraudulent pretenses, representations, and promises,” according to the indictment, when she applied for PPP and EIDL loans for her four businesses, which include the What About Us Childcare Center, What About Us Adult Day Care Center, What About Us Home Healthcare, and the What About Us Foundation.

Cannady is said to have received over $100,000 from the Small Business Association, as well as nearly $250,000 in PPP loans.

According to court documents, Cannady lied in her loan applications about key information such as revenue and the number of employees, which affects the loan amount.

According to the indictment, Cannady also submitted bills to insurance companies for patients who were never patients at the health care center and for services that were never performed.

According to the indictment, Cannady got away with nearly $2.7 million for it.

Cannady allegedly used the proceeds of the above-described fraud to pay for a down payment on a home, a Rolls Royce, and a Corvette, according to the documents, which state that “Cannady used the proceeds of the above-described fraud on expenditures for herself, including, but not limited to, a down payment on a home and the purchase of vehicles.”

The child care center is currently open, but both the adult day care center and the home health care center are listed as permanently closed online.

Cannady spoke with WREG TV over the phone and maintained her innocence. Her attorney stated that she has pleaded not guilty and expects to be acquitted if the case goes to trial.