COVID-19 Fraudster Drops Bid for New Sentence

Ebony Green abandons appeal of 5-year prison term for pandemic relief scam

Apr. 9, 2026 at 9:51pm

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An extreme close-up of a crumpled, redacted government form or fraudulent financial document, conceptually illustrating the harsh reality of pandemic relief scams.A recent wave of COVID-19 relief fraud cases has exposed vulnerabilities in pandemic aid programs, leading to tougher prosecutions.Ottawa Today

Ebony Green, the first COVID-19 fraudster sentenced in La Salle County, Illinois, has withdrawn her motion to vacate her guilty plea and reduce her 5-year prison term. Green initially argued her sentence was excessive, but has now abandoned the post-trial relief effort without explanation.

Why it matters

Green's case was one of the first prosecutions in Illinois related to fraudulent applications for pandemic relief funds. Her decision to drop the appeal could signal a shift in legal strategy or a recognition that the original sentence was appropriate given the scale of her crime.

The details

Green, 29, of University Park, Illinois, was sentenced in January 2026 to 5 years in prison for fraudulently obtaining over $20,000 in COVID-19 relief funds. Prosecutors said Green claimed to operate a daycare service earning $100,000 annually, when in reality she was a hair stylist with much lower reported income. Green was caught due to the contradictory tax return she had filed.

  • Green was sentenced on January 29, 2026.
  • Green is scheduled for parole in the summer of 2028.

The players

Ebony Green

A 29-year-old resident of University Park, Illinois who was convicted of COVID-19 relief fraud.

Heidi Nelson

The assistant public defender representing Ebony Green.

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What they’re saying

“Green abruptly dropped the matter without explanation.”

— Heidi Nelson, Assistant Public Defender

The takeaway

Green's decision to abandon her appeal suggests the original 5-year sentence may have been appropriate given the scale of her COVID-19 relief fraud. This case highlights the ongoing efforts by authorities to crack down on pandemic-related scams that took advantage of emergency aid programs.