Oak Hill, WV (WOAY) – The United States Attorney for Southern West Virginia has secured two separate guilty pleas for incidents involving COVID-19 relief fraud.
The first, Ross Jay Bailey, got a 2 million loan from the federal government. He admitted to using around 1.4 million dollars for personal things, including cryptocurrency.
That money was supposed to be used to alleviate economic injury caused by the pandemic.
Additionally, a Bluefield woman has pleaded guilty to stealing $84,000 in federal COVID-19 relief aid.
April Elick received the money as loans under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. She then used the loans for personal purchases. The money could only be used for eligible COVID-related business expenses.
Elick is facing up to ten years in prison, three years supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and more than $97,000 in restitution.
