DeKalb Woman Accused of Fraud in PPP Loan Case

SYCAMORE — A 48-year-old DeKalb woman has been charged with theft of government funds, forgery, and wire fraud after investigators said she obtained $41,250 in fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program loans. Authorities allege Erica L. Walker claimed to own a remodeling company and filed false tax returns to secure the loans in 2021, later admitting the business did not exist. Walker, an employee of the DeKalb County Circuit Clerk’s Office, was arrested Sept. 4 by sheriff’s deputies and released the next day after a court appearance. The DeKalb County State’s Attorney’s Office requested a special prosecutor due to her employment with the county, and she is scheduled to return to court Oct. 16.