Camden County Man Admits PPP and Unemployment Fraud Schemes

CAMDEN, N.J. – A Camden County man today admitted to schemes to submit fraudulent Payroll Protection Program (PPP) and unemployment insurance applications, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

Ralston Boswell, 34, of Collingswood, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Renee Marie Bumb in Camden federal court to an information charging him with two counts of wire fraud.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

From March 2021 through April 2021, Boswell submitted three fraudulent PPP loan applications that falsely stated his employment and income. Based on the three fraudulent applications, Boswell received a total of $56,250 in PPP loan funds. From May 2020 through March 2021, Boswell submitted multiple fraudulent unemployment insurance applications, including applications to the New York Department of Labor, the Rhode Island Department of Labor, and the Michigan Department of Labor. The applications falsely stated the name and employment status of the application and Boswell received $152,961 in unemployment insurance.

The counts of wire fraud each carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,00 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 20, 2024.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the Department of Labor, Office of the Inspector General, under the direction of Jonathan Mellone, with the investigation leading to the guilty plea.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph McFarlane of the Camden office.