Derry couple convicted of fraudulently obtaining pandemic relief funds

Lina Portman4 weeks ago

0 1 minute read

SENTENCED TO ONE YEAR IN PRISON. 12 MONTHS IN ONE DAY, PLUS TWO YEARS OF SUPERVISED RELEASE. That's the sentence a federal judge gave Tammy Dodge Monday. NEW HAMPSHIRE U.S. ATTORNEY JANE YOUNG SAYS THE 44-YEAR-OLD MAN AND HIS HUSBAND, DAVID DODGE, ENGAGED IN A SCHEME TO DEFRAUD THE GOVERNMENT OF APPROXIMATELY $219,000 BY FILING DOZENS OF FALSE APPLICATIONS 'COVID HELP OVER A YEAR. Money that was intended for individuals who were actually suffering the consequences of the pandemic, not individuals like the Dodgers who are using that money to buy items like hot tubs and a diamond ring. ACCORDING TO THE GOVERNMENT, THE COUPLE CLAIMED TO OWN OR CONTROL SEVERAL BUSINESSES IN NEW HAMPSHIRE AND MASSACHUSETTS AND USED FALSE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS IN THE APPLICATIONS. Prosecutors say they even went so far as to use a child's identity to apply for and obtain an employer identification number from the IRS to facilitate the fraud. IN ADDITION TO STEALING MONEY, THIS UNDERMINES CONFIDENCE IN SYSTEMS, IN PROGRAMS LIKE COVID RELIEF PROGRAMS DURING SENTENCE. While the judge noted that David Dodge played a deeper role in the scheme, he also said that Tammy was aware of what was happening. Both Dodges pleaded guilty for their roles. DAVID DODGE WAS SENTENCED TO 34 MONTHS. TAMMY DODGE will serve her sentence once her husband is released from prison. I think the message is pretty clear, you won't get away with stuff like that. IN ADDITION TO JAIL TIME, DODGE AND HER HUSBAND WILL ALSO HAVE TO PAY $219,000.

Derry couple convicted of fraudulently obtaining pandemic relief funds