HARRISBURG, Pa. — Former running back for the Philadelphia Eagles, Wendell Smallwood Jr., has admitted guilt to federal fraud offenses. He was implicated in submitting fraudulent tax returns and applications to acquire substantial funding from COVID-19 relief programs.
The plea agreement was officially approved by a federal judge in Delaware this past Friday. Smallwood, hailing from Mullica Hill, New Jersey, is scheduled for sentencing in May regarding the three counts of fraud he faces.
Mark Sheppard, Smallwood’s attorney, indicated that his client took responsibility during the court proceedings, emphatically recognizing the necessity of making reparations not only to the government but also to his close relations. “He views this as a first step toward amending his wrongdoings,” Sheppard commented.
Initially charged in October, Smallwood is accused of filing erroneous tax returns on behalf of himself and others during 2021 and 2022, resulting in around $110,000 in refunds.
Moreover, Smallwood allegedly utilized either non-functioning or newly established businesses, providing fabricated details regarding their operations, including information on start dates, revenue figures, expenditures, and employee counts. Some of these businesses were registered under his name, while others belonged to different individuals.
One fraudulent undertaking involved the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program, where Smallwood provided false data while applying for loans for three businesses under his name. The U.S. Small Business Administration later approved loans totaling over $46,000.
In another misleading scheme, Smallwood filed false applications for the Paycheck Protection Program on behalf of at least 13 individuals. According to prosecutors, a bank issued loans nearing $270,000, from which Smallwood received kickbacks for his role in preparing and submitting those applications.
Smallwood was drafted by the Eagles following his tenure at West Virginia University in 2016. The Delaware native represented the Eagles for three seasons before continuing his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the franchise currently recognized as the Washington Commanders over the next three years.
