Collingswood Man Faces Federal Prison For $200K COVID-Benefit Fraud: Feds

COLLINGSWOOD, NJ — A Collingswood man faces decades in prison after lying about his work to fraudulently obtain more than $200,000 in pandemic-related benefits, authorities said.

Ralston Boswell pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud Thursday in Camden federal court.

Boswell, 34, submitted multiple fraudulent applications for both unemployment insurance and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans during the COVID-19 pandemic, authorities said.

From May 2020 through March 2021, Boswell lied about his name and employment status on unemployment applications sent to the departments of labor in New York, Rhode Island and Michigan, according to court documents. He received $152,961 in unemployment benefits, which had been expanded during the COVID emergency.

From March to April 2021, Boswell falsely reported his employment and income on three PPP loan applications: one stating he was an Uber driver, another claiming he was a Lyft or taxi driver, and a third stating he was self-employed, according to court documents. He obtained $56,250 in federal funds.

Independent contractors, such as Uber drivers, were eligible for loans from the PPP — a federal program instituted during the pandemic to help businesses retain employees. Most PPP loans were forgiven, according to NPR analysis.

Boswell's sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 20. Each count of wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.