DC Pastor Rudolph Brooks Jr. Allegedly Bought 39 Cars, Including Tesla, And Baltimore Property With COVID Relief Funds, Feds Say

CBS Baltimore Local WJZ ^ | 04/26/2021 | CBS Baltimore Staff

[Pining_4_TX]

A DC pastor allegedly bought 39 cars, including a Tesla, and a property in Baltimore with CARES Act funds, a federal complaint says.

Rudolph Brooks Jr. of Cheltenham, Maryland was charged with federal wire fraud and the government can seize more than $2.2 million held in various bank accounts as well as a 2018 Tesla Model 3.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, which was enacted in March 2020, was supposed to provide emergency financial assistance to millions of struggling Americans who’ve lost jobs or other suffered other economic consequences of the pandemic. Up to $659 billion in forgivable loans were given to small businesses for employee retention and certain business expenses.

The funds must be used on payroll costs, mortgage interest, rent, and utilities.

Brooks, who’s the pastor and founder of Kingdom Tabernacle of Restoration Ministries, owns Cars Direct by Gavawn HWD Bob’s Motors. The affidavit alleges that on May 9, Brooks applies for a PPP loan on behalf of Cars Direct in the amount of $1,556,589. In support of this ask, Brooks allegedly submitted fraudulent tax forms, reporting $724,469 in payments via Forms 1099-MISC and $7,471,630 in total unemployment payments to employees.

IRS records however do not reflect any tax filings made by Cars Direct for any tax period, meaning they don’t have employees.

Additionally, the Maryland Department of Labor has no record of Cars Direct paying wages or of Brooks receiving wages.

[LouAvul]

Didn't even need to look. These people. Sheesh. And shame on us for allowing to get to this point.

There's no fixing it now.