PEORIA, Ill. – Two Peoria residents are wanted by federal authorities after allegedly lying in order to receive federal COVID-19 relief money.
The U.S. Attorney’s office says Andre Johnson, 25, and Shon Smith, 33, are wanted on counts of Mail Fraud and Making a False Statement, while Smith also faces a count of Wire Fraud.
Prosecutors claim the two fraudulently obtained pandemic and unemployment benefits through the federal Paycheck Protection Program.
It’s not clear how much the two took, but Johnson allegedly did it between May of 2020 and September of 2021, and Smith from June of 2020 through June of 2021.
The two have been summoned to federal court April 12th for arraignment hearings.
