Baltimore County Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Over Half a Million Dollar COVID-19 Relief Fraud

A Baltimore County man has been sentenced to federal prison for fraudulently obtaining more than $523,000 in COVID-19 relief funds intended to assist Americans impacted by the pandemic, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland. Edward McCorkle, 37, was ordered by U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett to serve two years in prison, followed by six months of home detention and three years of supervised release. McCorkle must also pay $523,500 in restitution.

McCorkle pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud on September 15, 2025, admitting to a scheme that ran from May 2020 through February 2021. During this period, he defrauded financial institutions, including Cross River Bank and the Small Business Administration (SBA), by submitting fraudulent loan applications for various businesses he had established under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) programs. These programs were established as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, enacted in March 2020, to provide emergency financial assistance, including forgivable loans, to small businesses facing economic hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The investigation revealed that McCorkle sought a total of $946,500 in fraudulent loans and successfully obtained over $523,000. He admitted to using the illegally obtained funds for various impermissible purposes. These included numerous personal expenses, substantial cash withdrawals, and the purchase and rehabilitation of real estate located within Baltimore City.

The prosecution of McCorkle is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s efforts to combat widespread COVID-19 fraud. The District of Maryland Strike Force, one of five established nationwide, is dedicated to investigating and prosecuting individuals and organizations that have exploited pandemic relief programs. These interagency, prosecutor-led teams utilize data analysis to identify and bring to justice those who have stolen funds intended for pandemic relief.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland highlighted the collaborative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Baltimore County Police Department (BCPD) in the successful investigation and prosecution of this case.

This sentencing serves as a reminder that the CARES Act funds were specifically designated to aid individuals and businesses genuinely affected by the pandemic. Misuse of these funds constitutes federal fraud and carries significant penalties. Residents with information regarding potential fraud related to COVID-19 relief programs are encouraged to report it to the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or through the NCDF Web Complaint Form.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland.

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