DeKalb Man Tried To Steal $1.5M In COVID-19 Relief Money: Feds

DEKALB COUNTY, GA — A man from DeKalb County is accused of attempting to misuse a federal coronavirus relief program for farmers to try and steal $1.5 million.

Christopher A. Hayes of Lithonia is charged with making a false claim to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), per a Thursday press release by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia. He was charged via an information tip filed Thursday.

Prosecutors said Hayes claimed loss of livestock at his commercial farming operation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which he did by applying for the USDA's CFAP. The CFAP provides direct relief to eligible farmers whose operations were negatively affected by the pandemic.

However, prosecutors said Hayes allegedly does not own or operate a farm and did not have any losses associated with livestock when he made the claim.

“During the global pandemic, the government has provided a wide range of financial relief,” Acting U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine said in the release. “Unfortunately, when criminals steal these funds, they take them out of the hands of those suffering hardship, such as farmers, who are the focus of the USDA relief efforts.”

Additionally, the release said Hayes allegedly submitted a fraudulent Internal Revenue Service Form 7200, which allows an employer to request and advance payment of employer credits under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The FFRCA, when used legitimately, provides small and mid-size employers with refundable tax credits that reimburse them, dollar-for-dollar, for the cost of providing paid sick and family leave wages to their employees for COVID-19-related leave.

Hayes attempted to get more than $1.5 million in COVID-19 relief money through these claims, prosecutors said in the release.

“It’s truly disheartening, that during this pandemic individuals are devising schemes to take advantage of funds set aside for those financially impacted,” said James E. Dorsey, special agent in charge of the IRS-Criminal Investigation, in the release. “IRS-Criminal Investigation and our law enforcement partners will remain vigilant in uncovering fraud and recommending prosecution.”

Hayes made his first appearance in federal court Thursday, but further information on his custody was not provided. The case is being investigated by the IRS Criminal Investigation unit and the Office of the Inspector General within the USDA.

"The defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government's burden to prove the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial," the press release said.