Nephew of State Senator Among Two Indicted for Defrauding COVID-19 Aid Programs of Over $1 Million

(KNSI) — Two Minneapolis-based business consultants have been indicted for defrauding COVID-19 aid programs of over $1 million.

Tezzaree El-Amin Champion – the nephew of state Senator Bobby Champion and Marcus Alexander Hamilton, both 27, allegedly submitted fraudulent invoices and applications while serving as business advisors to Hennepin County.

According to court documents, since 2020, Champion and Hamilton used their company, Futuristic Management Group LLC, to fraudulently obtain funds from various private and public COVID-19 relief programs at the local, state, and federal levels. They entered contracts with Hennepin County under the “Elevate Business” program, also known as “Elevate Hennepin,” intended to provide free marketing and website assistance to local small businesses. Instead, they billed the county for work that wasn’t performed, work they were already being paid by their clients when the services should have been free.

U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger slammed the two for their scheme, saying, “During the COVID-19 pandemic, at a time when small businesses were suffering deep economic losses, local and federal government agencies stepped in to provide support. These defendants saw this as an opportunity to defraud the aid programs by submitting phony invoices and applications for benefits.”

Additionally, Champion and Hamilton filed false PPP, EIDL loan applications, and Hennepin County Small Business Relief grant applications. They misappropriated portions of these funds for personal use.

Champion also allegedly intimidated clients by displaying a firearm, and during a search of his home, authorities said they found $126,000 and a Ruger LCR .357 revolver. As a convicted felon, Champion is prohibited from possessing firearms.

The scheme resulted in over $1 million in fraudulent aid, involving over 100 fake invoices and applications.

Champion and Hamilton face multiple charges, including mail fraud, wire fraud, theft of government money, and engaging in monetary transactions with unlawfully obtained property. Champion also faces a charge for firearm possession as a felon.

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