The Georgia pastor, an activist accused of COVID reduction fraud, has used cash on a brand new Mercedes, the DOJ says

BRUNSWICK, Ga. – A pastor from South Georgia who is also an undertaker, restaurateur, activist and tax advisor has been charged with fraud in the recovery of COVID-19, according to the Justice Department.

Kingsland-year-old Mack Knight, 45, faces a five-fold indictment accusing Knight of lying to the Small Business Administration (SBA) in connection with Loan for Economic Damage (EIDL) applications, according to David H. Estes, Acting US attorney for the southern district of Georgia.

Knight now faces up to 30 years imprisonment and possible fines.

“Funds from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Security (CARES) Act were made available to help small businesses survive pandemic-related losses,” said Acting US Attorney Estes. “In coordination with our law enforcement partners, we will hold those unscrupulous actors accountable who try to swindle these funds for their own gain.”

According to the indictment, Knight filed for money on behalf of two Camden County companies in February and March 2021: Knight’s Tax Services and Daddy Earl’s Kitchen. Those filings falsely alleged that the companies were each generating hundreds of thousands of dollars in gross revenues prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the DOJ.

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After Knight received nearly $ 150,000, he used some of the money to buy a Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedan, according to the indictment.

In the past, Knight has been open about social justice issues. News4Jax interviewed him before traveling to Minnesota to offer assistance and promote peace after the death of George Floyd, and he protested after the murder of Ahmaud Arbery.

He was also the spokesman for a family mourning Tony Green, who was shot and killed by a Kingsland police officer.

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Unrelated to the case, attorney John Phillips is familiar with Knight’s community activism.

“When you have multiple companies, you have to run each one properly, and that CARES money wasn’t free money. It wasn’t to take it and do what you want with it. It was a relief, ”he said.

A background check reveals that Knight was previously sentenced to a Georgia prison for fraud and theft.

To report a COVID-19 related fraud system or suspicious activity, contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) by calling the NCDF helpline at 1-866-720-5721 or via the NCDF web Call the complaint form at: Justice.gov/. Disaster Fraud / NCDF Disaster Complaint Form.

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