Maryland Prosperity Preaching Pastor Rudolph E. Brooks Jr. was arrested after fraudulently requesting $ 1.5 million in Paycheck Protection Program (P3) loans and using the money to buy 39 cars (including a Tesla, Bentley and Mercedes), put down a down payment on a house and cover other personal expenses.

Brooks, 45, has been charged with wire fraud and faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) seized $ 2.2 million from his bank accounts as well as the 2018 Tesla Model 3 which it purchased with the funds.

According to a press release from the US Department of Justice, Brooks applied for an Economic Disaster Loan (EIDL) on April 7, 2020 for a business he owned called Cars Direct by Gavawn. He also applied for a PPP loan on May 9, 2020.

Although Cars Direct was incorporated in Maryland on October 29, 2010, it was lost on October 1, 2012 and re-established on January 28, 2020. It also applied for funding for two of its other companies, including its Washington-based church. DC, Kingdom Tabernacle of Restoration Inc. and Madaro Celtic Bank.

Listen to GHOGH with Jamarlin Martin | Episode 74: Jamarlin martin

Jamarlin returns for a new season of the GHOGH podcast to discuss Bitcoin, Bubbles, and Biden. He talks about the risk factors for Bitcoin as an investment asset, including origin risk, speculative market structure, regulation, and environment. Are the larger financial markets in a massive speculative bubble?

Brooks is accused of tampering with financial, tax and payroll records to acquire the funds. In the documents he submitted, he reportedly reported $ 724,469 in payments using Forms 1099-MISC and $ 7,471,630 in employee compensation payments for Cars Direct. However, the IRS said he had no such record according to the affidavit.

Brooks was approved for loans in the amount of $ 1,556,489 for Cars Direct, which he transferred to various bank accounts in his name, according to the criminal complaint.

After news of Brooks’ arrest went viral, the church’s website and Facebook pages were taken down. Meaww reports that while the website was live, he stated that “Brooks’ intense love for the Lord, his relentless spirit, and his ability to tap into the very heart of God make him a memorable speaker” who might even make skeptics of believers.