CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A Buckhannon man has been sentenced to multiple years of probation after fraudulently obtaining COVID-19 funds and unemployment benefits.
Christopher Grant, 41, was sentenced Monday to five years of federal probation and four months on home detention for conspiracy to steal public money, property or records.
Grant admitted to fraudulently obtaining $14,336 in unemployment benefits, which includes COVID-19 supplementary funds. From April 25, 2020, to July 25, 2020, Grant knowingly applied for unemployment benefits that he was not entitled to. Grant was laid off as a sales manager at a Charleston auto dealership when the COVID-19 pandemic began and received legitimate unemployment benefits until he returned to work on the week of April 18, 2020.
Grant also admitted that he used the fraudulently obtained unemployment benefits and PPP loan funds to make purchases and pay his bills. Grant admitted to obtaining a $20,832 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan from the Small Business Administration (SBA) on March 21, 2021. These loans were given to self-employed individuals or independent contractors impacted by the pandemic.
Grant falsely confirmed that he earned $104,580 as an independent contractor for the last tax year, despite knowingly only earning $33,900.
In addition to federal probation and home detention, Grant has also been ordered to pay $35,168 in restitution.