<p>Twin brothers in Maryland are facing federal charges for allegedly obtaining payouts totaling more than $1 million in COVID-19 unemployment insurance benefits and loans with which they used to buy a 2020 Camaro and trade cryptocurrency, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).</p>
<p>Jerry Phillips and Jaleel Philips, both 24, are the targets of a federal complaint filed in court. Both are being accused of wire fraud, while Jerry is also accused of aggravated identity theft. The brothers appeared Wednesday in the United States District Court of Greenbelt, Maryland. They face up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted for wire fraud.</p>
<p>The complaint was announced by U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron for the District of Maryland, as well as officials in the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and Department of Labor, <a href="https://www.fdicoig.gov/press-release/twin-brothers-facing-federal-charges-allegedly-obtaining-over-1-million-covid-19-loans">according</a> to a DOJ press release.</p>
<p>&#8220;According to the criminal complaint, IP addresses linked to Jaleel and Jerry Phillips were used to submit fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program loan applications (PPP), Economic Injury Disaster loan applications (EIDL), and unemployment insurance claims resulting in $1 million in received funds,&#8221; the presser said. &#8220;As stated in the affidavit in support of the criminal complaint, the Phillips brothers allegedly created fictitious aliases, used the personal identifying information of real people, and used out of business or fake corporate entities to apply for EIDL and PPP loans, and unemployment benefits.&#8221;</p>
<p>The federal complaint also alleges that the Philips brothers made email and financial account aliases with state social security numbers, birth dates, and driver&#8217;s licenses. It is alleged that a car was purchased after illegally obtaining the PPP funds, as well as furniture and other items, and that the brothers moved money between bank accounts that were through the aliases&#8217; names.</p>
<p>Attorney General Merrick Garland <a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/attorney-general-announces-task-force-combat-covid-19-fraud">announced</a> a COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force in May 2021 to address fraud related to the pandemic and government handouts. A day before the Phillips brothers appeared in court, three men were <a href="https://www.fdicoig.gov/press-release/three-men-sentenced-27-million-covid-19-relief-fraud-scheme">sentenced</a> in North Carolina for a $2.7 million relief fund scheme, according to the DOJ.</p>
<p>There has been large-scale fraud involved with coronavirus-related assistance. In one of the most significant cases, two Florida men crafted a $35 million scheme and pleaded guilty in December. The men <a href="https://www.thecentersquare.com/florida/two-south-florida-men-plead-guilty-in-35m-covid-scam/article_1c543248-5f90-11ec-9a8e-0f8e8e5cff52.html">recruited</a> other loan applicants, resulting in more than two dozen being charged.</p>
<p>Nearly two years after the government approved aid totaling more than $6 trillion, the U.S. government is now tasked with accounting for where the funds ended up.</p>
<p>&#8220;Managing COVID-19 stimulus lending is the greatest overall challenge facing SBA, and it may likely continue to be for many years as the agency grapples with fraud in the programs, particularly in the COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program, and the process of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness,&#8221; U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Inspector General Hannibal &#8220;Mike&#8221; Ware <a href="https://smallbusiness.house.gov/uploadedfiles/01-12-22_mr._ware_testimony.pdf">said</a> in testimony last month before the House&#8217;s committee on small business.</p>
<div class="css-j7qwjs">
<div id="post-body-text">
<div class="e1nzmkc90 css-1s0j25g">
<p><em>The Daily Wire’s first original film, Shut In, has made its cinematic debut, being met with rave reviews. The Daily Wire is building an alternative to the leftist entertainment industry, one gripping movie at a time. Join us in this mission and stream Shut In today by becoming a Daily Wire <a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.dailywire.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noopener">member</a>.</em></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>

<script async src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script><div data-widget-host="revcontent" data-pub-id="165152" data-widget-id="290588"></div><script src="https://delivery.revcontent.com/165152/290588/widget.js"></script>

Twin Brothers Ran $1M COVID-19 Scheme, Bought Camaro And Crypto: DOJ

CONTINUE READING

Texas AG Sues Biden For Lifting Title 42 Amid ‘Devastating’ Migrant Surge

Michigan Democrat AG, Major Energy Company Agree To End Coal Use By 2025

Another Kamala Harris Aide Jumps Ship As ‘Toxic’ and ‘Abusive’ Workplace Narrative Escalates

Community College Pays The Cost Of 20 Students’ Tuition For Celeb ‘Diversity’ Lectures

Researchers Broke Law Spending Estimated $246M In Taxpayer Dollars To Get Animals Stoned, Report Finds

Congressman’s Airline Income While Pushing Related Bills, Proxy Voting, Warrants Ethics Probe: Watchdog

News

COVID

Fraud

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

A video goes viral showing a baby being refused his mother by two gay "dads". This is just the tip of the iceberg, which is why we will have an important discussion today about surrogacy. 

Hour 1

The Matt Walsh Show

Ep. 1765 - This Video Is One Of The Worst Things I've Seen In A Long Time 

The Strait of Hormuz officially opens for business (kind of), the Pope makes “shocking” comments on immigration, and President Trump promises UFO disclosure at TPUSA. 


The Michael Knowles Show

Ep. 1956 -  Pope Leo's "SHOCKING" Immigration Comments EXPLAINED

A false miscreed has corrupted our leadership class.


The Andrew Klavan Show

Ep. 1275 - Dumb, Dumber and Progressive

President Trump announces a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, a murder-suicide involving former Democratic Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax shakes Virginia, and France and Britain hold a conference to secure the Strait of Hormuz – after the Iranian conflict ends. Get the facts first with Morning Wire.

- - -

Ep. 2738

- - -

Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3

- - -

Today's Sponsors:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text 'WIRE' to 83848 to learn more.

Pocket Hose - Text MORNING to 64000 to get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Message and data rates may apply.

Morning Wire

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26 [Member Exclusive]

A ceasefire goes into effect between Israel and Lebanon, a tragic murder-suicide rocks Virginia, and Dairy Queen deploys AI in the drive-thru. Get the facts first with Evening Wire.
- - -
Ep. 2737
- - -
Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3 
- - -
Today’s Sponsor:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text “WIRE” to 83848 to learn more.


Evening Wire: Lebanon Ceasefire Begins & Murder-Suicide Rocks VA | 4.16.26

The Pendragon Cycle

Menu

— News —

Twin Brothers Ran $1M COVID-19 Scheme, Bought Camaro And Crypto: DOJ