Baltimore County Man Admits Guilt in Over $500,000 COVID-19 Relief Fraud
Baltimore, MD – A Baltimore County man has pleaded guilty to federal charges stemming from fraudulently obtaining over $500,000 in COVID-19 relief funds through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. The case is being prosecuted by the District of Maryland Strike Force, established by the U.S. Department of Justice to combat large-scale pandemic relief fraud.
According to court documents, the defendant, McCorkle, obtained a PPP loan and later provided a $49,300 check – representing 20 percent of the loan amount – to a co-conspirator as a kickback. He then misused the fraudulently obtained PPP funds for personal expenses, including purchasing and rehabilitating real estate in Baltimore City, paying credit card bills, and making considerable cash withdrawals.
Between June 5th and October 1st, McCorkle systematically depleted the PPP loan funds. This included withdrawals totaling over $98,000 in two transactions on June 5th,with a $49,100 check made payable to himself. Further withdrawals occurred on June 15th (over $28,000) and June 19th ($14,500). By October 1st,the account balance had dwindled to approximately $3,400.
McCorkle also admitted to securing more than $227,000 in EIDL funds under false pretenses, utilizing those funds for impermissible purposes such as mortgage payments on his primary residence, purchases at restaurants and retail stores, and payments to relatives, associates, and other co-conspirators.
He now faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, followed by up to three years of supervised release. U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett has scheduled sentencing for Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at 2:30 p.m.
The district of Maryland Strike Force is one of five nationwide, focused on investigating and prosecuting significant pandemic relief fraud related to the CARES Act, which was designed to provide emergency financial assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. These strike forces employ data-driven and prosecutor-led teams to identify and prosecute those who exploited these programs.
Individuals with information regarding COVID-19 related fraud are encouraged to report it to the Department of Justice’s National center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or through the NCDF web Complaint Form: justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI and Baltimore county Police Department (BCPD) for their investigative work. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul A. Riley and Paul E. Budlow are prosecuting the case, with assistance from Paralegal Specialists juliette Jarman and Joanna B.N. Huber.
