By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
BigPaulSportsBigPaulSports
Notification Show More
Latest News
No. 11 Wisconsin stays red-hot with elusive win over Illinois, 95-74
No. 11 Wisconsin stays red-hot with elusive win over Illinois, 95-74
Game Analysis
LIV Golf explained | LIV on FOX
LIV Golf explained | LIV on FOX
Game Analysis
Shedeur Sanders might have revealed his preferred NFL team, all thanks to Madden
Shedeur Sanders might have revealed his preferred NFL team, all thanks to Madden
Game Analysis NFL
No. 14 Michigan St beats No. 13 Purdue 75-66, moves within half-game of 1st in Big Ten
No. 14 Michigan St beats No. 13 Purdue 75-66, moves within half-game of 1st in Big Ten
Game Analysis
Champions League: 10-man AC Milan eliminated, Club Brugge completes shocker
Champions League: 10-man AC Milan eliminated, Club Brugge completes shocker
Game Analysis
Aa
  • Big Paul Sports
  • Services
  • Game Analysis
  • Free Picks
  • Premium Content
  • Registration
  • Member Login
Reading: Ex-player pleads guilty in COVID benefits scheme
Share
Aa
BigPaulSportsBigPaulSports
  • Big Paul Sports
  • Services
  • Game Analysis
  • Free Picks
  • Premium Content
  • Registration
  • Member Login
Search
  • Big Paul Sports
  • Services
  • Game Analysis
  • Free Picks
  • Premium Content
  • Registration
  • Member Login
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
BigPaulSports > Blog > NCAA > Ex-player pleads guilty in COVID benefits scheme
NCAASports News

Ex-player pleads guilty in COVID benefits scheme

BigP
Last updated: 2024/06/18 at 3:39 AM
BigP Published June 18, 2024
Share
Ex-player pleads guilty in COVID benefits scheme
SHARE
Jun 17, 2024, 10:11 PM ET

A former college football player pleaded guilty Monday in a scheme to fraudulently obtain COVID-related unemployment benefits, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Abdul-Malik McClain, 24, pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud for orchestrating a scheme that netted $283,063 and sought at least $1,056,092, the Justice Department said in a news release.

McClain engineered the scheme with other football players while he was attending USC in 2020. He subsequently transferred to Jackson State, where he played one season, in 2021, at linebacker.

Editor’s Picks

According to the DOJ, which cited McClain’s plea agreement, he “filed fraudulent claims for unemployment benefits and organized and assisted a group of other football players in filing fraudulent claims for unemployment benefits, including under the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program established by Congress in response to COVID-19’s economic fallout. McClain and others filed the claims with the California Employment Development Department (EDD), the administrator of the state’s unemployment insurance (UI) benefit program. The claims contained false information about the claimants’ supposed prior employment, pandemic-related job loss, and job-seeking efforts in California.”

The Justice Department said the government authorized Bank of America to issue debit cards to the players, which they allegedly used to make cash withdrawals to fund personal expenses. In some instances, McClain “sought and obtained a cut of the fraudulently obtained benefits for helping others file fraudulent UI applications,” the government said.

McClain, who originally pleaded not guilty to 10 counts of mail fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles in December 2021, is set to be sentenced Sept. 16. He faces a maximum of 20 years in federal prison.

ESPN’s Mark Schlabach and Kyle Bonagura contributed to this report.

Sponsored Content

Bet the World Cup in Wager.dm

You Might Also Like

Top moments from Brady, Manning, Jordan and other athletes hosting ‘Saturday Night Live’

Rounding up athletes in Super Bowl LIX commercials: Beckham, Mahomes and the Mannings

FCS title game preview: Can North Dakota State knock off undefeated Montana State?

Doc to show tense Gastineau-Favre rift from ’23

BigP June 18, 2024
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Email Print

Follow US

Find US on Social Medias
Facebook Like
Twitter Follow
Youtube Subscribe
Telegram Follow
newsletter featurednewsletter featured

Weekly Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

    Popular News
    CFB coaching carousel: Tracking every FBS vacancy
    NCAASports News

    CFB coaching carousel: Tracking every FBS vacancy

    BigP BigP November 13, 2023
    Unveiling our 2023 NFL season projections: Predicting top teams, Super Bowl favorites
    Browns’ Wheatley hurt during practice skirmish
    49ers weren’t perfect, but plenty good enough to top shorthanded Giants
    LSU RB Holly avoids attempted murder charge
    - Advertisement -
    Ad imageAd image

    Categories

    • Sports

    About US

    We offer information and tips on US Sports and evernts all over the world.
    Top Categories
    • Game Analysis
    • Free Picks
    • Services
    • Premium Content

    Subscribe US

    Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

      © Foxiz News Network. Ruby Design Company. All Rights Reserved.

      Removed from reading list

      Undo
      Welcome Back!

      Sign in to your account

      Lost your password?