FORT SMITH, AR – A Mountain Home man has been sentenced to 63 months in prison for his role in a scheme to steal COVID-19 relief funds.
James Read, 45, was sentenced on September 20, 2021, for charges stemming from the abuse of various COVID-19 related economic relief programs.
According to court documents, Read falsified documents to apply for Small Business Administration loans intended for businesses struggling from the COVID-19 pandemic.
He also filed for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance on behalf of himself and others in multiple states despite being ineligible for the funds.
The Court ordered Read to pay $277,827.00 in restitution for the fraudulently obtained funds.
“Our office will continue to vigorously pursue criminals such as Mr. Read,” stated Acting United States Attorney David Clay Fowlkes.
The case was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, and the Small Business Administration Office of the Inspector General.
Assistant United States Attorney Hunter Bridges prosecuted the case for the United States.
Read’s wife, Crystal Payne, 43, was sentenced on September 20, 2021, to five years of probation, a $5,000 fine, and $59,130.00 in restitution for her role in the offense.
The public can access related court documents on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov.
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Key Facts
- State: Arkansas
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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