JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Jacksonville man is facing federal wire fraud charges after being indicted on allegations that he submitted fraudulent documents to collect thousands of dollars in COVID-19 emergency rental assistance.
Edward Malone, a Jacksonville resident, was indicted May 27, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida on two counts of wire fraud.
Recommended Videos
What is ERAP?
The Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) was created by the U.S. Department of Treasury to provide financial relief to renters struggling to pay rent or utilities due to hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
ERAP was authorized under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Funds were distributed to states, territories and local governments, which each established their own eligibility programs. In Jacksonville, the City of…
MANAGEMENT & CULTURE (THE “TONE AT THE TOP”)
Fraud thrives in “sloppy” environments where leadership ignores the rules.
- The Fraud Triangle: For fraud to occur, three elements must be present: Pressure (the need for money), Rationalization (thinking “I deserve this”), and Opportunity (weak controls). You can only control the Opportunity.
- Whistleblower Hotline: Provide an anonymous way for staff to report “odd behavior.” Most internal frauds are caught via tips, not audits.
- Background Checks: Conduct credit and criminal record checks for all employees in financial or data-sensitive roles.
- Annual Ethics Training: Make sure every staff member knows that the company has a Zero Tolerance policy toward “borrowing” from petty cash or fudging overtime.