Brian Bushell, the purported monk, allegedly used fraudulently obtained COVID relief money to buy $40,000 in Swiss watches, a designer handbag and more.
A Marblehead man who presented himself as an Orthodox Christian monk and a lawyer have been charged in a $3.6 million COVID relief fraud scheme, according to the Massachusetts U.S. Attorney's Office.
Brian Andrew Bushell, 47, and Tracey M.A. Stockton, 64, were charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and unlawful monetary transactions, a news release said Thursday. Bushell, who presented himself as"Father" and"Rev. Fr." Bushell or Andrew, was in charge of several organizations in Marblehead, including the St. Paul’s Foundation, a monastic house and a monastic brewery called Marblehead Brewing Co., according to prosecutors. Stockton served as general counsel for the organizations, officials added.
Bushnell is being accused of"vastly" overstating the organizations' operational expenses when applying to receive Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the Small Business Administration shortly after CARES Act money became available at the start of the pandemic. The pair allegedly submitted false documents, and got $3.5 million in EIDL funds for the organizations.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
COVID support schemes 'lost billions to fraud and error', report findsA total of £4.5bn of financial aid packages was claimed in error or fraud, according to the National Audit Office.
Read more »
NHS trails online booking for flu jabs for first time as COVID boosters available for over 50sOnline and phone bookings for a COVID booster will open for 12 million people aged 50 to 64 on Friday.
Read more »
Associations of cardioprotective medications with COVID-19 outcomesAssociations of cardioprotective medications with COVID-19 outcomes PLOSONE BrighamWomens HarvardChanSPH harvardmed COVID19 coronavirus covid cardioprotective medication
Read more »
Changes in mortality associated with temperature-sensitive diseases in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemicChanges in mortality associated with temperature-sensitive diseases in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic PLOSONE COVID19 coronavirus covid disease temperature Japan mortality
Read more »
Danny Miller takes odd swipe at Stephen Mulhern over Ant & Dec's NTA absenceViewers thought Danny Miller's NTAs speech was 'odd' after he went at Stephen Mulhern NTAs Emmerdale NTAawards
Read more »