A former Florida church pastor who allegedly stole thousands of dollars from the US government could face decades in prison if convicted.
United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida he says Marcus Eichelberger conspired with an unnamed individual to “fraudulently file and submit forms” for Small Business Administration (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans.
PPP was a US government program designed to protect small businesses from the financial crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In applying for the loan, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida says that Eichelberger and his partner assured that the loan would be used to save wages and meet the expenses of the said business, but this was not the case in the end.
“After the loans were approved, it is alleged that Eichelberger and the other person kept the money for use other than for any legitimate PPP purposes.”
According to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, Eichelberger and his alleged accomplice later sought to have the loans forgiven. The US government lost about $50,000 as a result.
The former church pastor is now indicted on four counts of wire fraud over loans he allegedly received fraudulently and asked for forgiveness.
If convicted, Eichelberger faces up to 20 years in prison on each count.
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