Man, woman in Joliet accused of fraudulently receiving COVID-19-related funds, cops say

A man and woman were arrested in Joliet after they were accused of fraudulently receiving COVID-19 pandemic and Paycheck Protection Program funds, police said.

About 6:40 p.m. Thursday, detectives and officers conducted a search warrant at a residence in the 1000 block of Edgerton Drive following an investigation of Jelil Olaniyan, 34, and Asia Olaniyan, 41, both of Joliet, according to Joliet police Sgt. Dwayne English.

The investigation indicated the two were “fraudulently receiving COVID-19 pandemic and Paycheck Protection funds,” English said.

Both were arrested at the residence, English said.

English said detectives recovered “a large amount” of cash, two vehicles and designer clothing from the residence.

“No further information will be released as this investigation is ongoing,” English said.

On Friday, Jelil Olaniyan and Asia Olaniyan were released from jail. Online court records did not show formal charges against them as of Friday afternoon.

English did not confirm whether this case was related to the investigation of Paycheck Protection Program loan fraud allegations that were detailed in a forfeiture complaint filed Aug. 12 by Will County prosecutors.

Prosecutors alleged in the forfeiture complaint that $2,134 belonging to Adrian Bailey, 20, was “criminally derived” in connection with with a Paycheck Protection Program scam. A judge has not yet ruled on the forfeiture complaint.

Bailey claimed the money was given to him by his mother, Konika Morrow, 43, for “expenses and other obligations.”

As of Friday, online court records did not show any charges filed against Morrow or her two sons in connection with the allegations in the forfeiture complaint.

Bailey has been in jail since Sept. 10 after he was arrested on charges accusing him of the involuntary manslaughter of Dennis Lee, 24, on Sept. 8 in Romeoville.

Prosecutors alleged Bailey unintentionally killed Lee when he “racked the slide of a firearm, which was pointed in the direction of” Lee as he was driving a vehicle.

Donta Bailey, 18, was released the same day his brother was incarcerated for a juvenile case. Will County State’s Attorney spokeswoman Carole Cheney said she was unable to provide details because it’s a juvenile case.