Columbia man pleads guilty to COVID benefits fraud, says DOJ
Image: Department of Justice (D.O.J.)
Image: Department of Justice (D.O.J.)
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO)– A 51–year-old man had pleaded guilty to COVID benefits fraud, said the DOJ.
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that Michael Eugene Bowers electronically submitted an Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) application through the Small Business Administration (SBA) and received $480,900 on Dec. 20, 2021, said the Department of Justice.
Bowers is accused of using the money for personal expenses, such as purchasing a Suzuki motorcycle and paying off his BMW.
He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison, a fine of up to $250,000, restitution, and supervision to follow the term of imprisonment.
His guilty plea was accepted by a United States senior district judge, and Bowers will be sentenced after the judge receives and reviews a sentencing report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across the government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by using the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF)’s Web Complaint Form.
