TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (CBS12) — Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody and the Federal Trade Commission are taking steps to shut down a grant writing service that allegedly made false promises of COVID-19 related economic relief for minority-owned small businesses.
After the Attorney General and the FTC filed a joint complaint, a federal court issued a temporary restraining order against Grant Bae and its owner, Traeshonna P. Graham.
“The defendants targeted small, minority-owned businesses with the promise they could help secure COVID-19 relief," said Attorney General Moody. "Instead of obtaining the promised federal grant funds, the defendants took fees from struggling businesses and left them in even worse financial condition. I am pleased we have shut down this scam and we will continue to litigate this case in an effort to recover lost funds for those harmed.”
The complaint alleges that Graham and her company violated the FTC Act, the COVID-19 Consumer Protection Act, and the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.
The complaint also alleges Graham made false claims about her company's service and her own grant-writing background on Facebook, Instagram, and in the Clubhouse audio app. The complaint said Grant Bae only distributed money to social media influencers and to close associates.
FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection Director Samuel Levine said, “These scammers targeted minority-owned businesses and misused public funds meant to support honest businesses...
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