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Tommie Joyner, 45, Pleads Guilty to COVID-19 Relief Scam
A Lexington, Ky., man has pleaded guilty to wire fraud arising out of a scheme to unlawfully obtain various COVID-19 pandemic relief benefits.
Tommie Joyner, 45, made material false statements in order to obtain money from various government relief and Covid-19 relief programs. Joyner fabricated information about employment history, residence, and business ventures, and applied for relief funds using that false information.
According to the plea agreement, Joyner filed an unemployment benefits application with the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency, falsely claiming that he resided in Detroit, Michigan, when in fact he was a resident of Lexington, Kentucky. As a result of the misrepresentation, he was paid $15,269.76 in unemployment assistance.
Joyner also applied for pandemic unemployment benefits in Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Tennessee, and New York, all of which contained false statements and representations. His fraudulent applications to New York and Indiana were approved and he obtained $83,925.47 in unemployment benefits. Joyner also applied for two EIDLs with the SBA, seeking $62,500.
Joyner is scheduled to appear for sentencing on August 22, 2025. He faces a maximum of 20 years in prison. Joyner will be required to pay a minimum of $100,195.23 in restitution.
The investigation was conducted by DHS-OIG and DOL-OIG. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brittany Dunn-Pirio is prosecuting the matter on behalf of the United States.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the NCDF Hotline.
Key Facts
- State: Kentucky
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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