Florida pastor and son arrested for allegedly using church’s COVID loan to buy $3.7M mansion
Allegations have surfaced against a Florida pastor and his son for their involvement in fraudulently obtaining $8.4 million in COVID relief funds. It is claimed that most of the funds were used to purchase a luxury mansion located on Disney World property.
Evan Edwards and his son Josh, who hold the positions of president and vice president of the ASLAN International Ministry, were apprehended by federal authorities at their family home in New Smyrna Beach.
The arrests followed the seizure of the Edwards’ Paycheck Protection Program funds by the Secret Service in April 2020, amidst suspicion surrounding the legitimacy of their family ministry.
Josh allegedly applied for the loan by falsely stating that ASLAN had 486 employees and a $2.7 million monthly payroll. However, the actual number of employees and payroll expenses were significantly lower or possibly nonexistent, according to the federal indictment.
Despite applying for $6 million, the family ministry was granted an astonishing $8,417,261.38 the next month. The funds were then purportedly transferred across various bank accounts linked to members of their family.
Approximately $868,250 was sent to a Royal Bank of Canada account in Evan’s wife Mary Janes Edward’s name, and was subsequently used to purchase a $3.7 million 4,700-square-foot house on Orlando’s Symphony Grove Drive, which is situated within Disney World’s Golden Oak development, as per federal authorities.
In September 2020, federal officials visited the family’s New Smyrna Beach home to find it vacated. The next day, Florida police stopped their car for speeding, and discovered all four Edwards family members inside with luggage and apparent evidence of their schemes.
Originally from Canada, the family was taken into custody on an immigration charge, but was reportedly released the following day. Following a court order, the Edwards returned the full $8.4 million in April 2021.
Evan and Josh are now facing six charges, including conspiracy to commit bank fraud and visa fraud.
