Former Jacksonville Pastor Indicted Over COVID Fraud Allegations
Eichelberger allegedly helped two congregants fraudulently apply for and receive PPP loans.
Arrested on four counts of wire fraud April 16, Marcus Eichelberger, 46, faces a prison sentence of up to 80 years if he’s found guilty of helping two congregants steal $180,000 in COVID-19 relief loans.
Cathedral of Deliverance / Insert of Marcus Eichelberger (photo via Facebook)
Eichelberger was co-pastor at Cathedral of Deliverance in Jacksonville, Florida, where he had worked in various capacities since 2006, according to his LinkedIn profile. The church was founded by his father, Bishop Charles Eichelberger.
Beginning in March 2021, according to the indictment, Eichelberger aided congregants Justin Burns and Talia McIntyre in the thefts by telling them there was a way to find “free money” for people in “distress.”
Talia McIntyre pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud and admitted to investigators that her pastor coached her through the process of gaining money from the loan service. She fraudulently filled out the loans to aid a catering business that did not exist.
According to the plea agreement, Eichelberger sent McIntyre text messages. “Use the money wisely and don’t spend most of it on others!! LOL…Spending it on yourself is ABSOLUTELY ACCEPTABLE,” it said.
McIntyre was found to have spent most of the funds to pay off credit card debt. She also sent Eichelberger a payment of $19,000 in thanks for his help.
U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe said, “Through a proactive initiative with the SBA OIG, our investigation uncovered that a VA employee and the employee’s pastor fraudulently obtained federal relief funds intended for legitimate businesses in need.”
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Justin Burns, another of Eichelberger’s parishioners, received $129,900 in a special low-interest loan with the purpose of aiding his business, according to reporting by The Roys Report. Burns has never been registered as a small business owner in Florida. According to Burns Indictment, Eichelberger approached him about fraudulently applying for the PPP loans.
Both Eichelberger and Burns have pleaded not guilty.
The Government Accountability Office reports that the Department of Justice has brought charges against 2,191 individuals for COVID-19 relief plans and consumer scans. The DOJ estimates that 10-17% has been stolen from the $4.6 trillion that was intended to be used for COVID-19 relief. Special task forces, such as the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force, have taken action against fraudsters who have been responsible for $836 million in fraudulent takings.
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