Former Wheeling Business Owner Pleads Guilty to COVID-19 Relief Fraud

A former resident of Wheeling, West Virginia, has admitted to fraudulently obtaining nearly $300,000 in federal COVID-19 relief funds. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of West Virginia announced that Bradley Temple, 48, formerly of Wheeling and now residing in Delray Beach, Florida, pleaded guilty to unlawful money transactions. Temple’s conviction stems from his actions as the operator of Righteous Brother’s Trucking, a business that received both Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) under the CARES Act.

The investigation revealed that Temple made false representations about his business to secure approximately $277,456 in these federal loans. Funds obtained through these fraudulent means were subsequently used for personal expenses, including the purchase of a vehicle for $40,000 via a cashier’s check, rather than for the intended business relief. As a result of his guilty plea, Temple faces a maximum prison sentence of 10 years and will be required to pay restitution to the government. The final sentence will be determined by a federal district court judge, who will consider sentencing guidelines and other relevant legal factors. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Conklin.

The investigation into Temple’s fraudulent activities was a collaborative effort involving the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Office of Inspector General (NASA OIG). The NASA OIG is an active participant in the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee (PRAC) Fraud Task Force. This task force was established to enhance transparency and coordinate oversight of the vast federal spending allocated for the COVID-19 pandemic response. Comprised of 20 Inspectors General, the PRAC aims to identify significant risks that span across different programs and agencies, working to detect instances of fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement within the more than $5 trillion disbursed for pandemic relief. Support for this investigation was also provided by the PRAC’s Pandemic Analytics Center of Excellence, which leverages advanced analytic and forensic technologies to aid Inspectors General and law enforcement in data-driven investigations of pandemic relief fraud. U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone presided over the proceedings.

For residents, this case highlights the ongoing efforts by federal authorities to combat fraud related to COVID-19 relief programs. Individuals who received these funds are expected to have used them in compliance with the program’s guidelines. The consequences for misusing these funds can include significant prison sentences, substantial financial penalties, and restitution orders. The prosecution of such cases serves as a deterrent and reinforces the importance of honesty and accountability in accessing government assistance.

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

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