Badge & Bucks: Cop Family Scammed Covid Funds

⏱ 3 min read

A Robeson County Sheriff’s deputy and three of his family members – his wife and two sons – ran a brazen scheme to steal over half a million dollars in Covid relief money, federal prosecutors revealed this week. Ricky McMillian, 50, wife Erica, 46, and sons Dwayne, 29, and Derian, 27, all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud after inflating business numbers and forging documents to snag loans meant for struggling businesses.

The McMillians allegedly fabricated applications for five businesses they claimed to run in Robeson County, lying about employee counts and revenue. They submitted doctored tax forms and bank statements to the Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), banking a total of $542,288 in illicit funds. The cash, predictably, landed in accounts controlled by the family.

“This wasn’t a mistake, it was a calculated grab for cash during a time when legitimate businesses were fighting for survival,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle in a statement dripping with righteous indignation. “They thought they could beat the system, but the FBI and IRS-CI aren’t playing games.” Boyle’s office promises continued pursuit of anyone skimming from taxpayer-funded programs.

Each member of the McMillian clan now faces up to 30 years in federal prison and a $1 million fine. They’re also on the hook to return the stolen $542,288. Sentencing is slated for later this year. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ethan Ontjes led the prosecution, with the FBI and IRS-CI handling the investigation.