Click Here to View the Original U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Press Release
Marcus Eichelberger (46), a former church pastor in Jacksonville, Florida, has been indicted on four counts of wire fraud related to Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans from the Small Business Administration (SBA). If convicted, Eichelberger faces up to 20 years in federal prison per count. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.
According to the indictment, between March 2021 and February 2022, Eichelberger directed another individual to fraudulently complete and submit applications for PPP loans from the SBA that they were not entitled to receive. As part of the application process, it is alleged that Eichelberger and the other individual certified that the proceeds would be used to maintain payroll and pay expenses for a purported business. After the loans were approved, it is alleged that Eichelberger and the other individual retained the proceeds for their personal use and not for any legitimate PPP purpose. Finally, it is alleged that Eichelberger and the other individual fraudulently applied for forgiveness of both loans, causing approximately $50,000 in loss.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to prosecuting those who use fraud and deception to exploit our nation’s federal benefits programs,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe. “We will continue working with our law enforcement partners to protect the integrity of these taxpayer-funded programs.”
“This case demonstrates the VA OIG’s unwavering commitment to detecting and preventing fraud,” said Special Agent in Charge David Spilker with the VA Office of Inspector General’s Southeast Field Office. “Through a proactive initiative with the SBA OIG, our investigation uncovered that a VA employee and the employee’s pastor fraudulently obtained federal relief funds intended for legitimate businesses in need. The VA OIG appreciates the efforts of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners as we work together to hold accountable anyone who exploits these critical programs.”
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelli Swaney.
The Department of Justice has created the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.