"A Lexington man who secured hundreds of thousands of dollars in COVID-19 relief funds through false claims is headed to federal prison, after authorities said he funneled part of the money into gambling and other personal expenses. John A. Hopkins, 48, was sentenced Tuesday to 24 months behind bars by U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove in Frankfort. Hopkins previously admitted he took part in a fraud and money laundering scheme involving federal pandemic relief programs designed to keep struggling small businesses afloat."
"Court records show he submitted 10 fraudulent EIDL applications, along with a request to increase a loan that had already been approved and a separate false PPP application. In July 2020, one filing inflated his income as a pastor over the previous year. That claim resulted in approval of a $44,000 EIDL loan and a $1,000 advance payment."
John A. Hopkins, 48, secured about $517,000 from federal COVID-19 relief programs by submitting false EIDL and PPP applications between April 2020 and October 2021. He filed 10 fraudulent EIDL applications, a false PPP application, and sought a $352,000 increase after falsely asserting entitlement to congressional staff. One filing falsely inflated pastoral income, yielding a $44,000 EIDL and $1,000 advance. He used portions of the proceeds for gambling and personal expenses. Hopkins pleaded guilty to fraud and money laundering and was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison by Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove.
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