A Former Police Chief's Pandemic Fraud Scheme

Samuel Cornelius Green, the ex-chief of Brundidge, admitted to a clever scam involving COVID-19 relief funds. He and his accomplice, Schemillia Levera Fenn, both admitted to wire fraud. The court ordered them to pay back over $118,000 to the Treasury Department. Green also received a $1,000 fine and will spend 10 months under house arrest, followed by three years of probation.

The Scheme

The scam involved fake rental assistance applications. Green submitted multiple applications with false information about tenants, rental agreements, and payment histories. He even used fake utility bills to make his claims look real. This went on from March 2021 to November 2021.

The government's Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) was meant to help people who couldn't pay rent or utilities during the pandemic. Instead, Green used it to line his own pockets.

The Aftermath

A federal judge recently ordered Green to give up three rental properties in Troy. The Department of the Treasury's Office of Inspector General, along with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and the U.S. Marshals Service, investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michelle R. Turner, Russell T. Duraski, and J. Patrick Lamb handled the prosecution.

The Lesson

This case shows how some people take advantage of programs meant to help others. It's a reminder that fraud comes in many forms and can happen at any level. The justice system is working to hold people accountable, but it's up to all of us to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity.