A central Missouri man pleaded guilty to a $437,000 Covid-19 fraud scheme. Lamar K. Johnson, 41, admitted on Thursday that he played a role in a scheme to use the identities of deceased people to file hundreds of fake stimulus requests under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. Johnson said pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the government. Warren Watkins, a Kansas City co-defendant, pleaded guilty to the same offense in March 2022. More than 230 false and fraudulent charges were filed. Most of the people’s identities used were those of deceased people. Watkins was associated with two funeral homes in Kansas City. Both Johnson and Watkins could receive up to 1 year in prison without parole.
A central Missouri man pleaded guilty to a $437,000 Covid-19 fraud scheme.
Lamar K. Johnson, 41, admitted on Thursday that he played a role in a scheme to use the identities of deceased people to file hundreds of fake stimulus requests under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.
Johnson pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the government.
Warren Watkins, a Kansas City co-defendant, pleaded guilty to the same charge in March 2022.
More than 230 false and fraudulent complaints have been filed. Most of the people’s identities used were those of deceased people.
Watkins was associated with two funeral homes in Kansas City.
Both Johnson and Watkins could receive up to 1 year in prison without parole.
