MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A Memphis man who worked for the IRS admitted to stealing more than $100,000 in taxpayer money from COVID-19 relief funds Tuesday, and could face up to 10 years in federal prison.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) said 47-year-old Brian Saulsberry, who worked for the IRS as a program evaluation and risk analyst, pleaded guilty to money laundering after he admitted to stealing $171,400 through false Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) applications.
The EIDL program was started during the COVID-19 pandemic, designed to give loans to small businesses who were suffering from pandemic-related loss of revenue as part of the CARES Act.
The DOJ said Saulsberry submitted the false applications, and after obtaining the money, he transferred it to his personal checking account, later moving $100,000 to an investment account.
Saulsberry pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering. He is scheduled to be sentenced on April 5, 2024, and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
The DOJ said this case was brought as part of an interagency effort to combat and prevent CARES Act fraud by federal employees.
