Skip to Content

2 Mississippi businessmen found not guilty in pandemic relief fraud trial

COLUMBUS, Miss. (AP) — Two Mississippi businessmen have been cleared of all charges in a case where they were accused of fraudulently receiving more than $2 million in COVID-19 pandemic relief. Columbus residents Jabari Ogbanna Edwards and Antwann Richardson were found not guilty Friday by a federal jury in Oxford. They were indicted in June 2022 on charges including money laundering and wire fraud. Edwards held a news conference Tuesday in Columbus to thank supporters. His attorney Wil Colom says the prosecution was malicious and should have never happened. In April 2020, Republican Gov. Tate Reeves appointed Edwards to Restart Mississippi, a commission to advise him on the economy as COVID-19 was spreading.

Article Topic Follows: AP National

Jump to comments ↓

Author Profile Photo

Associated Press

BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION

KIFI Local News 8 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation.

Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here

If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here.

Skip to content