Wendell Smallwood Admits Guilt in Federal Fraud Case
Former NFL running back Wendell Smallwood has entered a guilty plea regarding multiple federal fraud charges.
According to the Associated Press, Smallwood was charged in October for submitting fraudulent tax returns and faulty applications seeking “hundreds of thousands of dollars” in COVID-19 assistance.
As part of the allegations, Smallwood reportedly exploited the Paycheck Protection Program by filing fraudulent applications under the names of at least 13 individuals. Allegedly, loans amounting to nearly $270,000 were approved based on misleading information, and Smallwood is accused of receiving kickbacks in return for these actions.
At 30 years old, Smallwood pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud on Friday. He is scheduled for sentencing in May.
A fifth-round draft pick in 2016 from West Virginia University, Smallwood had stints with the Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Football Team, and Pittsburgh Steelers, and was part of the Super Bowl LII championship team.
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