Former NFL Running Back Facing 50 Years In Prison
11/21/2024 03:17 PM
A former NFL running back is facing 50 years in prison, according to a report from CBS Philadelphia on Thursday.
A former Philadelphia Eagles running back has reportedly been charged with defrauding federal COVID-19 relief programs, according to the U.S. Government. Authorities announced the news on Thursday afternoon. The former NFL running back is facing three felony charges - wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and conspiracy to defraud the Internal Revenue Service.
Wendell Smallwood Jr., a former NFL running back who won a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles and played in the league from 2016-2021, is now facing up to 50 years in prison.
The former NFL running back allegedly defrauded the government by submitting false information to get thousands of dollars in COVID-19 relief money.
CBS News had more:
Federal prosecutors also accuse Smallwood of being involved in a kickback conspiracy to defraud COVID-19 relief programs and lying to tax authorities.
According to court documents, Smallwood applied for COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) using "defunct or recently registered businesses and claimed false business operations" in applications to the Small Business Administration.
Court documents also allege Smallwood submitted false information to the Paycheck Protection Program and was involved in a tax fraud conspiracy.
Smallwood, 30, played collegiately at West Virginia. The 5-foot-10 running back was a fifth round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. He played for the Eagles from 2016-18, then spent time with the Washington Redskins, Pittsburgh Steelers and Jacksonville Jaguars. He finished his career with a brief stint with the Washington Football Team in 2021.
The former NFL running back has 956 career rushing yards, with 474 receiving yards and 401 return yards. Smallwood had eight total touchdowns during his career.
The full criminal complaint against Smallwood, which was uncovered by CBS News, can be read here.
