A woman accused of filing false documents for federal COVID support for her online businesses — and of receiving almost a half million dollars before federal authorities cut her off — was recently convicted on all charges by a Denver jury.

Shambrica Washington, 39, was found guilty on all 31 counts of wire fraud, bank fraud, money laundering, and false claims. 

The jury reached its verdict on June 28, the fourth day of what was scheduled to be a five-day trial in federal court.

Former Colorado data company executive convicted of mail and wire fraud, sold data on millions of people

According to federal prosecutors, Washington was the owner of Tiny Toes and Tiaras, an online luxury baby apparel boutique, and TrueLove’s Daughters, a non-profit focused on female empowerment. Between March and July 2020, Washington obtained loans from the Small Business Administration for two Economic Injury Disaster Loans and from JPMorgan Chase for two PPP loans for a total of $485,749.00. The applications for the loans contained false information about how many people were employed by her businesses and the businesses’ wages, revenues, and costs of operation, according to prosecutors.

Additionally, prosecutors claimed Washington used the illegally obtained money to purchase a car and a custom-built home, pay for elective surgery, and pay credit card debt and other bills. 

Washington also applied for millions of dollars in additional loans, grants, and tax credits which were not granted, according to prosecutors. These included a $6 million SBA grant intended for shuttered concert venues.  

Washington and her husband Jean Victor Damus lived in Fountain at the time of the infractions. They moved to Allen, Texas, in the fall of 2020. There, prosecutors claimed, Washington continued to file false information for federal COVID relief funds on behalf of at least one other company also based on high-end children’s fashion.

The couple sold their Fountain home for $420,000 but only needed a loan of less than $24,000 to complete the purchase of the $1,140,000 (assessed value) home in Texas, according to a search of online public records.

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A federal indictment was first filed against the couple in June 2022. Victor Damus reached a plea deal with prosecutors a year later and was sentenced last November on a single count of False Claims to the Internal Revenue Service. He received a sentence of three years of supervised probation. 

Washington, meanwhile, fought the accusations. Very publicly, in some cases. In the lead-up to the trial, an X account operated by a Shaye Damus of Colorado Springs railed on local, state and federal authorities: “KKK country N Colorado. Corruption stemming from local law enforcement N El Paso County all the way 2 the DOJ N FBI. When will it end,” was posted on March 7, 2023. “When will black people be free in this country?”

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Federal authorities claimed Washington failed to list her criminal record on at least one application for federal funds. Washington pleaded guilty to identity theft in El Paso County court in June 2020 – during the time she was allegedly filling out falsified federal applications. She was given a two-year deferred sentence in the county case along with 100 hours of community service. That county case has since been re-opened, however. Washington is scheduled to appear in a review hearing Thursday.

She faces a judge for the federal fraud sentencing in late September.

IRS Criminal Investigation and the FBI Denver Field Office conducted the federal investigation.  

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KKCO) – Authorities are investigating the crash of a vintage biplane in northwest Kansas that killed two Colorado residents.

A 1934 Waco YKC single-engine biplane crashed into a field in Sheridan County on Sunday. The Kansas Highway Patrol identified the pilot as 78-year-old David Allen and the passenger as 79-year-old Jeanne Allen, of Elbert, Colorado.

Both David and Jeanne died on the scene.

The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are currently investigating the cause of the crash.

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EVENTS

JULY 17

Summer Concerts in the Glen — With Air Force Academy Falconaires, 6 p.m., The Glen at Broadmoor Community Church, 315 Lake Ave.; broadmoorchurch.org/music-ministry.

JULY 26

“Jazz in the Garden” — With Air Force Academy Falconaires, 7 p.m., Grace and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 601 N. Tejon St.; gssepiscopal.org/jazz-in-the-garden.

JULY 27 OR DURING TIME AT ACADEMY

Air Force Academy Cadet Sponsor Program — Provide a home-away-from-home for cadets during their time at the Academy; tinyurl.com/2mh2tkjk or for one day during Doolie Day Out 2024 on July 27; tinyurl.com/mvun9kwb. Information and registration online.

AUG. 2

JA Golf Classic — To benefit Junior Achievement Southern Colorado, 7 a.m.-3 p.m., Cheyenne Shadows Golf Club, 1050 Titus Blvd., Fort Carson, $175 and up. Registration required by July 31: secure.qgiv.com/for/jaosc/event/24jagc.

AUG. 9

Chip in for Children Charity Golf Event — To benefit Children’s Hospital, Southern Colorado, 8 a.m. check-in and breakfast, 9 a.m. shotgun start, Cheyenne Shadows Golf Club, 1050 Titus Blvd., Fort Carson, $250 and up. Registration: chipinforchildren.org.

AUG. 13

Military Speaker Luncheon — With Naval Inspector General Vice Admiral John Fuller, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., DoubleTree hotel, 1775 E. Cheyenne Mountain Blvd., $20-$40. Registration: coloradospringschamberedc.com.

AUG. 16

Cowboy Cup Golf Tournament — To benefit the Pikes Peak Range Riders Foundation, 7 a.m. registration, 8 a.m. shotgun start, Cheyenne Shadows Golf Club, 1050 Titus Blvd., Fort Carson, $150. Registration: pprrfoundation.wildapricot.org.

AUG. 16-17

The Salute to American Veterans Rally & Festival — With Vietnam Veterans Memorial traveling wall, poker run, silent auction, beer garden and live music, Woodland Park; theveteransrally.org.

AUG. 17

“Music on the Mesa” — With 4th Infantry Division Band of Fort Carson, 4-7 p.m., Gold Hill Mesa, 142 Raven Mine Drive; goldhillmesa.com.

SEPT. 9

Angel Golf Tournament — To benefit Angels of America’s Fallen, 7 a.m.-4 p.m., Perry Park, 7047 Perry Park Blvd., Larkspur. Cost and registration: angelsgolf.givesmart.com.

NOV. 7

Latino Veterans Profiles in Valor Awards — 6-9 p.m., Great Wolf Lodge, 9494 Federal Drive, $100. Reservations: cshispanicchamber.com.

ONGOING

Comeback Yoga — Free in-person and virtual yoga classes for military service members, veterans and their families; comebackyoga.org.

DAV Chapter 26 Membership Meetings — Hot meal at 6 p.m., meeting starts at 7 p.m., second Tuesdays, 6880 Palmer Park Blvd., open to all veterans and their guests; dav26co.org.

410 Veterans Group Meeting — 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays, Black Eyed Pea, 887 N. Academy Blvd. All veterans and spouses, all branches and eras welcome; 605-460-6317.

Women’s Equine-Assisted Mental Health Group — 10:30 a.m.-noon Wednesdays. Hosted by StableStrides for women veterans who have experienced trauma. Call for information: 719-495-3908.

Men’s Equine-Assisted Mental Health Group — 12:30-2 p.m. Wednesdays. Hosted by StableStrides for men looking for an active and solution-oriented therapy to manage symptoms of PTSD, depression or anxiety. Call for information: 719-495-3908.

The Southern Colorado Retiree Assistance Council Meeting — 10 a.m. second Wednesdays, The Hub, Peterson Space Force Base. Open to all military retirees and surviving spouses; 719-556-7153.

Society of Military Widows Monthly Meeting — 10:30 a.m. last Wednesday of the month, The Hub, Peterson Space Force Base. Open to surviving spouses; Margaret Melchi, 719-331-6689.

Pikes Peak Veterans Council Meeting — Doors open at 6 p.m., meeting at 6:30 p.m., last Wednesday of the month, DAV 26 Building, 6880 Palmer Park Blvd. All veteran organizations welcome; 719-235-1058.

The National Museum of World War II Aviation tours — 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays, 755 Aviation Way, $11-$17, free for WWII veterans. Tickets: 719-637-7559.

American Legion Post 5 Membership Meeting — 6 p.m. dinners, meeting at 7 p.m. third Thursdays, 15 E. Platte Ave. Open to members only; 719-632-0960.

American Legion Post 5 Game Night & Dinner — 6 p.m. second Fridays, 15 E. Platte Ave.; 719-632-0960.

American Legion Post 5 Steak Night — 6 p.m. fourth Fridays, 15 E. Platte Ave.; 719-632-0960.

Colorado Springs Chapter Wear Blue: Run to Remember — 9 a.m. first Saturdays, Cottonwood Creek Park, 7040 Rangewood Drive; wearblueruntoremember.org/coloradosprings.

Pikes Peak Honor Bell Planning Meeting — Purpose is to plan and lead the creation of a second honor bell to serve the Pikes Peak National Cemetery and the Pikes Peak region. The Honor Bell Foundation’s mission is to create a community of veterans to foster public appreciation of military service and honor their fellow veterans with a proper, final tribute, 10 a.m. first Saturdays, American Legion Post 209, 3613 Jeannine Drive; honorbell.org.

Pikes Peak Detachment of the Marine Corps League Meeting — 8 a.m. breakfast, meeting starts at 9 a.m., third Saturday, DAV Chapter 26, 6880 Palmer Park Blvd., $10 for breakfast; pikespeakmcl.org.

Dutch Nelsen Chapter of the Korean War Veterans Association — 11:30 a.m., with lunch at noon, third Saturdays, Elks Lodge, 3400 N. Nevada Ave. Open to all who served in Korea 1945 to present; Mike Thomason, 719-214-6121.

DAV Chapter 26 Bingo — Doors open at 4:30 p.m., bingo at 6:30 p.m., Sundays, 6880 Palmer Park Blvd., 12 or older; dav26co.org.

American Legion Post 5 Sunday Brunch — 10 a.m.-1 p.m. third Sundays, 15 E. Platte Ave.; 719-632-0960.

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Want to get the word out about your military or veterans event? Email events at least two weeks in advance to carlotta.olson@gazette.com.