FAIRBANKS, Alaska – Several charges of wire fraud involving COVID-19 relief monies have been brought against a Sterling businessman. According to a news statement issued by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Alaska, Kent Tompkins, the proprietor of J & B Construction, is accused of receiving $95,000 in relief monies and attempting to acquire $276,500 more.
During the application process for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL), Tompkins lied about his criminal past. In May of 2020, he submitted an application for an EIDL loan, and in November of 2021, he submitted another application.
Earlier, in the year 2018, Tompkins was accused in South Dakota on many accusations of felony grand theft. He was ultimately found guilty of these crimes in August of 2020. After being found guilty in South Dakota, he went ahead and submitted both of his EIDL applications nonetheless. As a result, he gave inaccurate information on his previous conviction and his probation.
On the 17th of April, Tompkins made his initial appearance or court appearance. In accordance with the provisions of 18 U.S.C. §1343, the United States District Court for the District of Alaska has returned his indictment for acts of wire fraud.
The matter is being investigated further by a number of institutions inside the state, one of which is the Anchorage Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
