Former WVU RB Wendell Smallwood reportedly faces up to 50 years in prison

On November 22, 2024By Littum

Thursday afternoonreported Xerxes Wilson of the Delaware News Journal that former West Virginia running back Wendell Smallwood has been charged with fraud related to COVID-19 relief programs.

The three felonies he is charged with are wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to defraud the IRS, which could result in up to 50 years in prison.

Federal prosecutors allege the former mountaineer defrauded government officials by submitting false information to get thousands of dollars paid to the companies he ran, according to court documents filed in the District of Delaware. Prosecutors also accuse Smallwood of being part of a kickback conspiracy to defraud COVID-19 relief programs and lying to the IRS.

According to Tom Dougherty of CBS Newscourt documents also show that “Smallwood applied for the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) using ‘defunct or newly incorporated businesses and claimed bogus business operations’ in applications to the Small Business Administration.”

A hearing is scheduled to take place in December.

During his time at West Virginia (2013-15), Smallwood rushed for 2,462 yards and 12 touchdowns on 425 carries. In his final year in the Old Gold and Blue, he was the Big 12’s leading rusher with 1,549 yards.

The Philadelphia Eagles selected Smallwood in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft, where he won a Super Bowl in 2018. He also spent time with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Washington Commanders.

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