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Local Business Owner Charged with Stealing COVID-19 Relief Funding
Richland, WA – A grand jury has charged Wilson Pershing Stevenson III, 44, of Nashville, Tennessee, with stealing more than $1.4 million in COVID-19 relief funding intended for struggling businesses. The indictment alleges that Stevenson III, owner of BNL Technical Services, LLC, fraudulently sought and obtained the funds for his employees who were teleworking or on standby during the pandemic.
The COVID-19 relief programs, including the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, were established to provide aid to small businesses affected by the pandemic. The programs have provided billions of dollars in aid, with the vast majority not being repaid.
“COVID-19 relief programs quickly ran out of money due to the number of people and businesses that requested funding, which meant that some deserving small businesses were not able to obtain funding to keep their businesses in operation during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Vanessa R. Waldref.
The COVID-19 Fraud Strike Force, created in 2022, has been working to combat pandemic-related fraud in Eastern Washington. The Strike Force consists of representatives from various agencies, including the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the U.S. Secret Service.
BNL Technical Services, LLC provided contract labor services to Hanford Site prime contractors between 2020 and 2021. However, the indictment alleges that Stevenson III continued to seek and obtain PPP funding for his employees despite their pay and benefits already being covered by the DOE.
The case is the most recent announced by the Eastern Washington COVID-19 Fraud Strike Force, which has resulted in numerous indictments, convictions, and civil penalties. The Strike Force aims to ensure that limited resources are provided to deserving local businesses that provide vital services for the community.
Key Facts
- State: Washington
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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