A Florida pastor has been sentenced to four years and three months in prison for fraudulently obtaining millions in Covid relief aid. The Edwards family's scheme was part of a larger pattern of Covid relief aid fraud, with hundreds of people charged with defrauding the Paycheck Protection Program.
A Florida pastor, Josh Edwards , has been sentenced to four years and three months in prison for fraudulently obtaining millions in Covid relief aid. Edwards, who was accused of using the money to buy a luxury home near Walt Disney World, had previously pleaded guilty to two fraud counts.
His father, Evan Edwards, had charges dropped against him due to his incompetence to stand trial, which was attributed to his suffering from 'moderate to severe dementia and significant and permanent cognitive deficits.
' The Edwards family had been accused of running a sham ministry and using the Covid relief aid to fund their lifestyle. A judge rejected the defense's argument that Josh Edwards was a fall guy for his family and instead found him responsible for his actions. Edwards's lawyer had portrayed him as a dependent individual who acted at the instruction of his family members, but the judge ultimately held him accountable for his role in the scheme.
Edwards is likely to be deported following his prison term due to his status as a Canadian citizen. The Edwards family's scheme was part of a larger pattern of Covid relief aid fraud, with hundreds of people charged with defrauding the Paycheck Protection Program. The program was established to provide aid to small businesses and organizations during the Covid pandemic, but it became a magnet for fraudsters.
The Edwards family's scheme was particularly egregious, with Josh Edwards applying for a $6 million loan to cover payroll, rent, and utilities for his family's ministry, despite the fact that the ministry had no employees and the accountant listed on the loan application was suffering from dementia. The judge's decision was seen as a blow to the defense's efforts to minimize Josh Edwards's role in the scheme, and it marked a significant victory for the prosecution in the case against the Edwards family
Covid Relief Aid Fraud Paycheck Protection Program Florida Pastor Josh Edwards Evan Edwards Sham Ministry
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