Dade County man accused of seeking nearly $56 million in COVID relief using mostly fake businesses
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A Dade County, Missouri, man is accused of trying to obtain nearly $56 million through federal COVID-era relief programs by claiming to operate businesses that prosecutors say largely did not exist.
Federal prosecutors say Jamie William Gray, of Greenfield, claimed ownership of 19 businesses and submitted 29 applications through the Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loan program.
Prosecutors allege all but one of the businesses Gray claimed to operate either did not exist or were not operating before the pandemic, making them ineligible for the relief money.
Gray sought roughly $55.9 million from the feds but ultimately only received about $820,000.
Authorities also accuse Gray of using the identity of an actual business as part of the scheme.
The Dade County case was highlighted Monday as the Justice Department announced a nationwide crackdown on COVID-relief fraud.
Federal officials say the latest
enforcement effort involves more than 160 defendants and approximately $245 million in alleged or intended losses to taxpayers.
