Kreykes Stole COVID-19 Funds for Luxury Goods

Todd Kreykes, 60, a physician assistant from Kalkaska County, Michigan, has been charged with theft of government property related to his use of COVID-19 pandemic funding for personal expenses.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Kreykes accepted over $294,000 from various federal programs designed to assist medical providers during the pandemic, including the CARES Act Provider Relief Fund. However, instead of using the funds for patient care, Kreykes spent over $200,000 on luxury goods, vacations, and personal expenses.

The funds were intended to help medical providers provide care and treatment for patients during the pandemic. Kreykes’ actions demonstrate a clear disregard for the intended use of the funds and a blatant disregard for the taxpayers who provided them.

“Every dollar that Todd Kreykes spent on luxury goods and vacations was one less dollar to help businesses struggling during the pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “This conviction can’t make up for that lost assistance now, but it can vindicate the taxpayers and show that criminals who defraud the government will be held accountable.”

Kreykes faces a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison and has agreed to plead guilty to the felony information. As part of a written plea agreement, he has agreed to make full restitution to the applicable federal pandemic programs prior to his sentencing hearing.

The U.S. Health and Human Service Office of Inspector General and the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ron Stella is prosecuting the case.

The charges in a felony information are merely accusations, and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.