From the Justice Department:
A Marblehead man who presented himself as an Orthodox Christian monk and a lawyer have been charged in a $3.6 million COVID relief fraud scheme, according to the Massachusetts U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Brian Andrew Bushell, 47, and Tracey M.A. Stockton, 64, were charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and unlawful monetary transactions, a news release said Thursday.
Bushell, who presented himself as “Father” and “Rev. Fr.” Bushell or Andrew, was in charge of several organizations in Marblehead, including the St. Paul’s Foundation, a monastic house and a monastic brewery called Marblehead Brewing Co., according to prosecutors. Stockton served as general counsel for the organizations, officials added.
Bushnell is being accused of “vastly” overstating the organizations’ operational expenses when applying to receive Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the Small Business Administration shortly after CARES Act money became available at the start of the pandemic.
The pair allegedly submitted false documents, and got $3.5 million in EIDL funds for the organizations. Additionally, the pair allegedly inflated the number of employees they had and the amount of payroll expenses each borrower organization had, resulting in an additional $146,608 in PPP funds, prosecutors said.
Bushell and Stockton allegedly spent over $1 million on renovations at two properties in Marblehead, which they planned to develop into a monastic complex featuring a chapel, brewery, beer garden, around $90,000 in audio video system equipment and nearly $40,000 in antique furniture, prosecutors said, adding they also bought a new residential property.
Bushell also used the money to buy over $40,000 in Swiss watches, a nearly $7,000 Goyard designer handbag for Stockton, $2,400 on things from Hermès and other luxury items, prosecutors allege.
Purported Christian Orthodox monk and lawyer arrested on federal charges in $3.5 million COVID-19 relief scam https://t.co/dhzNPM4Zqu
— The Boston Globe (@BostonGlobe) October 13, 2022
A man presenting himself as an Orthodox monk — and who had taken a “vow of poverty” — is accused of manipulating the COVID relief grant system to make off with nearly $3.6 million, which the feds say he spent on luxe items like $40,000 in Swiss watches.https://t.co/CRHYIkz1jd
— Boston Herald (@bostonherald) October 14, 2022
Officials believe an Orthodox Christian monk who claimed to have “taken a vow of poverty” and owned a brewery used millions of dollars in CARES Act funds on expensive wine, $40,000 watch, handbags and more, according to court documents. https://t.co/I6IXGTh5U0
— masslivenews (@masslivenews) October 13, 2022