A Washington, D.C., pastor was federally charged with wire fraud after he allegedly bought nearly 40 cars, including a Tesla, as well as a Baltimore property with over $1.5 million in coronavirus economic relief funds.
Authorities say records show Rudolph Brooks, Jr. “used the PPP loan funds for personal expenditures including credit card bills, purchases at restaurants, retail stores, grocery stores, and automotive auctioneers, and mortgage payments for Brooks Cheltenham residence,” a Department of Justice press release said.
Brooks is the pastor and founder of Kingdom Tabernacle of Restoration Ministries in D.C., and he also owns Cars Direct by Gavawn HWD Bob’s Motors. He applied for a PPP loan of $1,556,589 on behalf of Cars Direct last year and allegedly submitted fraudulent tax forms to do so.
Authorities say he opened the car business in 2010 but shut it down two years later. He then reopened the business in May 2020, after the government approved the Cares Act.
Authorities say he transferred the funds he received from the aid to his personal bank account and bought 39 used vehicles, including a 2017 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, two 2017 Infiniti Q50s, and a 2018 Tesla Model 3. He also initiated two wire transfers for a property in Baltimore.
FLORIDA MAN CHARGED FOR USING PPP LOANS TO PURCHASE 2020 LAMBORGHINI HURACAN
Authorities are authorized to seize $2,296,136.86 from 11 bank accounts as well as the Tesla.
“The affidavit in support of the seizure warrants alleges that these funds and vehicle constitute or are derived from the proceeds traceable to false statements made on bank loan applications,” the press release said.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Brooks was arrested on April 2 and has been charged with one count of wire fraud. He faces up to 20 years in federal prison if he is convicted.
