Plea: Man's PPP & Unemployment Fraud - $209K Scam

NJ man admits to schemes to submit fraudulent Payroll Protection Program (PPP) and unemployment insurance applications.Photo byMorristown Minute

Ralston Boswell Admits to Fraudulent Activities Involving PPP Loans and Unemployment Insurance

CAMDEN, N.J. – Ralston Boswell, 34, of Collingswood, New Jersey, has admitted to participating in schemes to fraudulently obtain Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and unemployment insurance benefits. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger.

Guilty Plea and Charges

Boswell pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Renee Marie Bumb in Camden federal court to an information charging him with two counts of wire fraud. The charges relate to fraudulent activities conducted between March 2020 and April 2021.

Details of the Fraud Schemes

PPP Loan Fraud:

• From March 2021 through April 2021, Boswell submitted three fraudulent PPP loan applications.
• The applications falsely represented his employment and income.
• Boswell received a total of $56,250 in PPP loan funds based on these fraudulent claims.

Unemployment Insurance Fraud:

• From May 2020 through March 2021, Boswell submitted multiple fraudulent unemployment insurance applications.
• The applications were submitted to the Departments of Labor in New York, Rhode Island, and Michigan.
• The applications contained false statements regarding the name and employment status of the applicant.
• Boswell received $152,961 in unemployment insurance benefits through these fraudulent applications.

Legal Penalties and Sentencing

Each count of wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Boswell's sentencing is scheduled for November 20, 2024.

Investigation and Acknowledgments

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited the special agents of the Department of Labor, Office of the Inspector General, under the direction of Jonathan Mellone, for their investigation leading to Boswell's guilty plea. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph McFarlane of the Camden office.

The guilty plea highlights the ongoing efforts to prosecute fraudulent activities related to COVID-19 relief programs and protect the integrity of government assistance programs.

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