Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Rep. Danny Davis Aide Indicted in Alleged $31,887 COVID Unemployment Fraud

The case underscores a renewed federal push to police COVID relief fraud.

Overview

  • Gerard C. Moorer, 42, a deputy district director to Rep. Danny Davis, was indicted Wednesday on three counts of wire fraud, prosecutors said.
  • Prosecutors allege he applied for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance in May 2020 and kept filing weekly claims through about September 2021, collecting $31,887.
  • The indictment says he was still working for Davis’ office during that span and certified to Illinois’ unemployment agency that he was out of work due to COVID-19.
  • Arraignment is set for May 14 in federal court, and each wire fraud count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
  • U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros has prioritized COVID relief fraud cases, and recent Chicago prosecutions have also targeted fake Paycheck Protection Program loans.