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.
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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…
HOW TO SPOT A “RED FLAG” (THE BEHAVIORAL AUDIT)
Keep an eye out for these behavioral shifts in your staff:
Refusal to take leave: Afraid someone will find their “adjustments.”
Unexplained wealth: Buying luxury items that don’t match their known salary.
Working odd hours: Preferring to work alone late at night when no one is watching the system.
“Gatekeeper” behavior: Becoming overly defensive or angry when someone asks to see their records.