Tampa man who misused $500K in COVID funds found guilty: DOJ

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TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A Tampa man was found guilty of wire fraud and money laundering after misusing around $500,000 in COVID relief funds, according to the Department of Justice.

Barrett Purvis, 54, applied for and received the Economic Injury Disaster Loan from the Small Business Administration in May 2021.

Officials said while his small business, which he owned and operated, was legitimate, half of the funds were put towards his gambling debt, and the rest for personal debt. Some of that debt was incurred on his girlfriend’s three credit cards.

Within two weeks of receiving the $500,000, he used all of the funds, none of which went to his business.

On Friday, a jury found Purvis guilty. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison for wire fraud and up to 10 years in prison for money laundering.

Purvis’ sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 12.

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