Archive · 20 Sep 2025
Former NFL Player Wendell Smallwood Sentenced for COVID Fraud
Wendell Smallwood Jr., who used to play football for the Philadelphia Eagles, has been sent to jail.
He tricked the government out of money that was supposed to help people and businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Smallwood Jr. made up fake applications for loans and submitted false tax information.
He got over $645,000 through these schemes.
He has been sentenced to 18 months in prison and must pay the money back.
Smallwood Jr. admitted he made a mistake and let his family and community down.
Wendell Smallwood Jr. was an NFL running back for the Philadelphia Eagles.
He was sentenced to 18 months in prison for COVID-19 relief fund fraud.
Smallwood Jr. defrauded over $645,000 through fraudulent schemes.
He used fake applications for PPP and EIDL loans and submitted false tax filings.
The fraud occurred between 2020 and 2023.
- Who
- Wendell Smallwood Jr., former NFL player.
- What
- Sentenced to prison for defrauding COVID-19 relief funds.
- When
- Between 2020 and 2023, sentenced September 2025.
- Where
- Federal court.
- Why
- Committed fraud against federal relief programs and submitted false tax filings.
- Defendant
- Wendell Smallwood Jr.
- Crime
- COVID-19 Relief Fund Fraud
- Sentence
- 18 months in federal prison
- Amount Defrauded
- $645,000
- Relief Programs Targeted
- PPP, EIDL, IRS
- Sentence Date
- September 18, 2025