A Canadian man living in Florida has been sentenced to more than four years in prison after pleading guilty in a U.S. fraud case involving COVID-19 relief funds and immigration filings. Prosecutors alleged that Joshua Edwards and his father used inflated payroll claims connected to a non-profit organization to obtain more than US$8 million in pandemic-era aid.

A Canadian living in Florida has been sentenced to more than four years in a U.S. federal prison for his role in a fraud case involving pandemic relief money and immigration-related misrepresentations.

Joshua Edwards, of New Smyrna Beach, Florida, received a sentence of four years and three months after pleading guilty to two fraud counts. His lawyer reportedly indicated that Edwards is likely to be deported after completing his prison sentence.

The case centred on a COVID-19 relief loan application submitted on behalf of Aslan, a non-profit corporation that was described as providing religious services. U.S. prosecutors alleged that Edwards and his father, Evan Edwards, misrepresented the organization’s payroll and staffing information in order to obtain funding through the Paycheck Protection Program.

According to U.S. authorities, the application claimed that Aslan had nearly 500 employees and more than US$2 million in average monthly payroll costs. Prosecutors alleged those figures were false and that the loan application also included certifications that the funds would be used for authorized business purposes.

The loan proceeds totalled approximately US$8.4 million. Authorities later recovered more than US$8 million connected to the alleged scheme. Prosecutors also alleged that some of the funds were used toward the purchase of a multi-million-dollar residence.

The prosecution also included immigration-related allegations. Evan and Joshua Edwards were accused of making false statements in documents connected to applications for permanent resident status in the United States.

The case took several years to resolve. Charges against Evan Edwards were dropped in 2025 after he was found incompetent to stand trial. Court materials reportedly referred to dementia, cognitive impairment, and other health issues.

Joshua Edwards’ sentencing is part of the continuing wave of U.S. prosecutions tied to pandemic relief fraud. The emergency nature of COVID-19 funding programs led to rapid approvals and large disbursements, but law enforcement agencies have since pursued cases involving allegedly inflated payrolls, fake businesses, false employee counts, and misuse of loan proceeds.

The case also shows how cross-border fraud allegations can create serious consequences for Canadians outside the country. Where alleged misconduct involves U.S. financial institutions, government relief programs, or immigration filings, Canadian citizens may face prosecution, imprisonment, asset recovery proceedings, and immigration consequences in the United States.

For the public, the case is another example of how pandemic relief programs remain under legal scrutiny years after the funds were distributed.

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Originally published on Canadian Fraud News.