Florida pastor, son arrested in New Smyrna Beach for alleged $8 million COVID-19 relief scam

[Major Nikon]

The U.S. Attorney's Office tells WESH 2 Evan Edwards and his son, Josh Edwards, were arrested Wednesday morning at their home in New Smyrna Beach. An indictment accuses the two of committing bank fraud.

WESH 2 has previously reported that suspicion was raised when Josh Edwards received about $8 million despite the paperwork saying that the family ministry, ASLAN International Ministry employees, had a $2.7 million payroll at their Orlando ministry.

According to the indictment, ASLAN's actual monthly payroll expenses were "significantly lower, or entirely nonexistent." Officials say the accused used fabricated IRS forms to fake how many people were employed at the ministry.

Investigators say $868,250 of the fraudulently obtained money was intended to be a down payment on $3.5 million home in Disney World's exclusive Golden Oak Neighborhood.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/florida-pastor-son-arrested-in-new-smyrna-beach-for-alleged-dollar8-million-covid-19-relief-scam/ar-AA15gKWE

I guess the key to "Successful Enjoyable Living" is to fleece the government when fleecing the flock doesn't cut it.

[awesomerwb1]

1. Becoming a pastor has always been about the $$ for 90% of them

Give us 10% of your check every month so you can help "spread the word".

[Major Nikon]

3. I don't doubt that was Jesus' motivation

It's not like He invented the idea. The idea of helping the unfortunate and saving souls has never been anything other than a trojan horse for skimming off the top and leaving almost nothing else. Some are just more "successful" than others.

[hauckeye]

2. How Christian of them

[brush]

4. Got a bit greedy did they? 8 million. Guess they thought if you go bad, go big.

[Major Nikon]

5. Probably wouldn't have been caught had they not screwed up the paperwork

They received $8 million, yet claimed a payroll of $2.7 million

[Permanut]

6. Yeah, but they're Christians..

So it's okay.