DETROIT (WWJ) A Detroit man is accused of living large on COVID relief funding.
Johnny Richardson, 26, pleaded guilty for his role in a scheme aimed at defrauding the U.S. government of funds set aside to provide relief to the unemployed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Court records state Richardson conspired with others, including a former contract employee for the State of Michigan, to “fraudulently obtain” hundreds of thousands of dollars in relief funding.
According to the plea agreement, Richardson filed unemployment claims online in at least five states totaling nearly $700,000. The former contract employee, Brandi Hawkins, is accused of using her insider access to release payments on Richardson’s claims.
Richardson allegedly used the relief funds on luxury cars, expensive jewelry and lavish vacations.
He is scheduled to be sentenced in November.