Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta Star Faces Fraud Charges Connected To Paycheck Protection Program

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Maurice Fayne, aka Arkansas Mo, 37, of Dacula, was charged with bank fraud and on Wednesday made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Justin S. Anand.

A Georgia-based reality TV personality allegedly used federal money designed to help small business owners for personal expenses including child support and a Rolex watch.

Maurice Fayne, known as "Arkansas Mo" of Dacula was charged with bank fraud and on Wednesday made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Justin S. Anand, federal officials said Wednesday.

The star made nine appearances on the TV franchise Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta in season eight, which chronicles his relationship struggles with Karlie Redd. The series included the revelation that he has a child with another woman, and later, Redd alleged that Mo is controlling and abusive.

The 37-year-old Flame Trucking company owner applied on April 15 for a Paycheck Protection Program loan to support 107 employees and an average monthly payroll of $1,490,200, officials said.

United Community Bank funded the loan for $2,045,800. 

Within days, Fayne allegedly used more than $1.5 million of the PPP loan proceeds to purchase $85,000 in jewelry, including a Rolex Presidential watch, a diamond bracelet, a 5.73 carat diamond ring for himself, and to pay $40,000 for child support.

Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division said Fayne allegedly stole money meant to "assist hard-hit employees and businesses during these difficult times, and instead greedily used the money to bankroll his lavish purchases of jewelry and other personal items.”

In seeking a loan in the amount of $3,725,500, Fayne certified that the loan proceeds would be used to “retain workers and maintain payroll or make mortgage interest payments, lease payments, and utility payments, as specified under the Paycheck Protection Program Rule.”

On Monday, May 11, agents executed a search warrant at Fayne’s residence in Dacula and seized approximately $80,000 in cash, including $9,400 that Fayne had in his pockets, and the jewelry he purchased with the PPP funds.

A 2019 Rolls-Royce Wraith at the residence still had a temporary dealer tag on it. 

READ the justice department press release here.