Former Philadelphia Eagles RB Wendell Smallwood faces up to 50 years in prison after being charged with defrauding federal COVID-19 relief programs, as per Dov Kleiman.
Smallwood’s charges include: wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and conspiracy to defraud the Internal Revenue Service.
The charges for Smallwood’s crimes that allegedly occurred were in 2020 and 2021, the final two seasons of his six-year NFL career.
Smallwood allegedly submitted EIDL applications for “defunct or recently registered businesses,” misrepresenting their financial status and other aspects of their operations.
Smallwood allegedly received $46,000 in fraudulent loans that were withdrawn for personal use instead being invested in his businesses, as per The Philly Voice.
The Eagles selected Smallwood in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL draft. He spent three seasons with the Eagles, before being waived in 2019 during final roster cuts.
The Washington Redskins claimed Smallwood off waivers and he spent the 2019 season with them. He then went to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2020.
Smallwood was a member of both the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Washington Football team in 2021, his final season.
Smallwood was a member of the Eagles 2017 Super Bowl Championship team. His best season of his NFL career was in 2018 with the Eagles. He rushed for 364 yards and scored five touchdowns (3 rushing and 2 receiving).
Running back Wendell Smallwood (28) with the Eagles. Photo courtesy of dkpittsburghsports.com
