Posted on 11/26/2024 3:29:39 PM PST by nickcarraway
A Southern California-based nonprofit CEO pleaded guilty Monday to fraudulently applying for millions of dollars in COVID-19 jobless benefits, using stolen identities to steal nearly $1.5 million, officials say.
According to the Department of Justice, Reginald Foster Jr., 38, of Westchester, Los Angeles, admitted to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and bank fraud and one count of unauthorized use of access devices.
The indictment alleges Foster took advantage of the federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program, part of the CARES Act passed in 2020 to help people impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Between June and October of 2020, the DOJ says Foster conspired with others to file fraudulent unemployment claims using the personal information of individuals who did not authorize the applications.
In total, Foster and his co-conspirators allegedly submitted 118 fraudulent applications to the California Employment Development Department (EDD), using stolen identities to ensure the approval of the claims.
Foster then received debit cards issued by EDD and transferred funds from those cards to his nonprofit, Champs Up! LLC, which was reportedly created to provide lifestyle and personal development coaching to middle school students in Los Angeles and Long Beach.
According to officials, Foster also withdrew large sums of money from the cards, including multiple $1,000 ATM withdrawals.
The group ultimately withdrew nearly $1.5 million from the fraudulent claims, according to the DOJ.
The scheme was purportedly uncovered when EDD and Bank of America froze the remaining benefits, preventing additional losses of more than $4 million.
The DOJ says Foster now faces up to 30 years in federal prison for the conspiracy charge and up to 10 years for the unauthorized use of access devices when he is sentenced on March 24, 2025. He remains free on a $50,000 bond pending sentencing.
Two co-defendants, Shelece Counts, 31, of Los Angeles, and Isaiah Herbert Lawrence, 31, of Houston, Texas, have pleaded not guilty to charges in connection with the scheme. A trial is scheduled for January 2025.
Billions of $ stolen and they pinch this oddlot for $1.5 million.
Hey DoJ GFYs.
That’s what COVID-19 Benefits were for , they were stolen from the taxpayers to start
Whatever happened to the $1 billion that Gavin Newsom gave to China for PPE, and never got anything for?
Kamala spent it on Beyonce and others. Also stealing elections is expensive.
They probably spent $10 million getting this petty crook.
TRILLIONS were stolen during “Covid”. It was the greatest theft of all time disguised as a public health emergency.
"...through a non-profit he founded...."CEO of Non-Profit that Provided Mentoring Services to Public School Students Pleads Guilty to Fraudulently Obtaining COVID Benefits November 25, 2024
Here's the alleged crook's LinkedIn page: Reggie "Champ Regg" Foster II
The class lecture was titled:
“How to ripoff stupid whitey.”
Lol.
Thanks. I figured this was a minority type of ripoff deal. Once I saw what his NGO was all about.
Should I presume non-white skin?
Two of his accomplices will go to trial.
First names...
Shelece and Isaiah.
Under socialism/communism, one becomes financially successful via theft, bribery, and corruption.
Organization’s website provides a bit more information:
https://champsup.com/
How many California companies ARE there that stole funds in this way?
“CEO of nonprofit Queer Works in Southern California charged in theft of $940K”
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4276546/posts
He still needs his neck stretched from a tall Oak Tree. Willie Nelson sang it best.
Yup
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