Ex-Eagle Wendell Smallwood Jr. admits guilt in fraud to obtain COVID relief, IRS refunds
Smallwood, 30, signed a plea agreement with prosecutors that was approved by a federal judge on Friday. He is scheduled to be sentenced in May.
Former Eagles running back Wendell Smallwood Jr. pleaded guilty in federal court in Delaware to helping defraud COVID-19 relief programs and the Internal Revenue Service out of more than $200,000.
Smallwood signed a plea agreement with prosecutors that was approved by U.S. District Judge Richard G. Andrews on Friday, court records show. Smallwood pleaded guilty to wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and conspiracy to defraud the IRS.
Smallwood, 30, of Mullica Hill, was released with certain conditions set by the judge until his scheduled sentencing on May 2.
An amended felony information filed by prosecutors on Friday stated that Smallwood, who was originally charged in late October, fraudulently obtained more than $90,000 in pandemic relief loans from the federal government and fraudulently obtained IRS refunds of more than $110,000.
Prosecutors said Smallwood schemed with coconspirators, who were not named in the filing.
It was unclear in court records what Smallwood kept for his share in the scheme.
Smallwood used what prosecutors said were defunct or recently registered businesses and provided false information about their operations.
Mark B. Sheppard, Smallwood’s lawyer, said in a statement on Monday: “Mr. Smallwood appeared in court on Friday and forthrightly took full responsibility for his actions. He recognizes that this is but the first step to try to begin to make amends to the government and to those closest to him. He will continue to do so.”
A Delaware native, Smallwood was an Eagles draft pick in 2016 and spent three seasons with the Birds before joining the team now known as the Washington Commanders.
While he was on the Eagles’ roster for Super Bowl LII, he did not play in the game.