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Smallwood, 30, was charged with felonies for Wire Fraud, Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, and Conspiracy to Defraud the Internal Revenue Service, federal prosecutors announced. If convicted on all counts, Smallwood faces up to 50 years in prison.
Authorities claim Smallwood obtained tens of thousands of dollars in COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds by submitting fraudulent applications. Prosecutors say he used “defunct or recently registered businesses” and provided false information to secure relief payments through the Small Business Administration.
Additionally, Smallwood is accused of participating in a kickback scheme involving COVID-19 relief programs and lying to tax authorities to conceal income, according to the documents.
The Eagles drafted Smallwood in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL draft out of West Virginia University. He played three seasons with the team and was on the roster during Philadelphia’s 41-33 win over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 52, though he didn’t see game action.
A Wilmington, Delaware, native, Smallwood later played for Washington and the Pittsburgh Steelers. In 2021, he joined the Jacksonville Jaguars’ practice squad but did not appear in a game.
The full criminal complaint detailing the allegations against Smallwood can be read below.
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