Feds accuse two business consultants to Hennepin County of stealing $1 million in pandemic aid

Two men who served as business advisers to Hennepin County have been indicted for allegedly defrauding COVID-19 pandemic aid programs of more than $1 million, U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger announced Tuesday.

"During the COVID-19 pandemic, at a time when small businesses were suffering deep economic losses, local and federal government agencies stepped in to provide support. These defendants saw this as an opportunity to defraud the aid programs by submitting phony invoices and applications for benefits," Luger said in a statement announcing the charges. "I commend the skilled investigators and prosecutors who work diligently to hold accountable those who defraud the aid programs designed to support our small business community."

According to the indictment, Tezzaree El-Amin Champion, 27, and Marcus Alexander Hamilton, 27, submitted more than 100 fraudulent invoices and grant and loan applications through their Futuristic Management Group LLC small-business consultancy firm. Champion founded the company and served as its chief executive and Hamilton worked as chief operations officer during the alleged scheme, which Luger's office said spanned from 2020 through present.

https://www.startribune.com/feds-accuse-two-business-consultants-to-hennepin-county-of-stealing-1-million-in-pandemic-aid/600367671/