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COVID-19

COVID-19 Relief Fund Fraud: Kentucky Man Pleads Guilty to $1.3M Scheme

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A Georgetown, Ky., man, Robert Conley, 71, has pleaded guilty to providing a criminally false claim to obtain COVID relief funds. Conley's scheme involved filing fraudulent applications under the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), resulting in over $1.3 million in fraudulent funds being obtained.

Key Takeaways:

  • Conley pleaded guilty to providing a criminally false claim to obtain COVID relief funds, with a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison.
  • Conley's scheme involved filing two CFAP applications and four false CFAP applications, which resulted in $1,206,539.80 in CFAP funds being remitted back to him.
  • Conley also caused the submission of three false PPP applications, claiming payroll expenses associated with his cattle operation, resulting in an additional $72,660 in fraudulent funds.
  • The USDA's Farm Service Agency administered the CFAP program, which provided financial assistance to farmers and ranchers.
  • The Small Business Administration's Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) also provided funds to businesses, but was fraudulently used by Conley.
  • The investigation was conducted by the USDA-OIG and IRS, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Kate Smith prosecuting the matter.
  • Conley is scheduled to appear for sentencing on October 9, 2025.

Statistics:

  • $1,279,199.80 in total fraudulent funds obtained by Conley
  • 2 CFAP applications filed by Conley
  • 4 false CFAP applications submitted by individuals at Conley's direction
  • 3 false PPP applications submitted by Conley
  • $72,660 in fraudulent PPP funds obtained
  • 5 years maximum prison sentence for Conley

Sources:

  • "Guilty Plea inCrop Insurance and PPP Scheme Resulting in Over $1.3 Million Obtained" by the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky
  • "United States Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General" (USDA-OIG)
  • "Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigations" (IRS-CI)
  • The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (2020)

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