Eduwell Jenkins, PPP Loan Fraud, Virginia 2021

RICHMOND, Va. — Two active-duty U.S. Army soldiers have been charged and convicted of obtaining fraudulent COVID-19 related loans while stationed at Fort Gregg-Adams in Virginia.

Major Eduwell Jenkins, 42, pleaded guilty today to defrauding the Small Business Administration (SBA) by obtaining a fraudulent loan through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

Jenkins filed for a fraudulent PPP loan in 2021, falsely representing to the SBA that he had a job separate from his military employment that generated over $100,000 in annual income. To substantiate this false income, Jenkins generated fabricated Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax return forms, submitting them to the SBA as supporting documentation for the PPP application.

Jenkins received over $20,000 in government-backed PPP loans to which he was not entitled.

Sentencing is scheduled for March 25, 2025, and Jenkins faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison.

Separately, Sergeant First Class Crispin Antonio Abad, 42, was charged with obtaining two fraudulent PPP loans while on active duty. Abad pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Abad allegedly used fraudulently obtained funds for various luxury and recreational spending, including purchases at the Fort Gregg-Adams Golf Course, Ace Adventure Resort in West Virginia, and Victoria's Secret.

Abad faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison if convicted.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edva/pr/active-duty-army-soldiers-charged-and-convicted-obtaining-fraudulent-covid-19-related