Son Jailed for Millions in Covid Relief Scam

The Justice Department's unusual Covid fraud case involving pastor Evan Edwards and his son, Josh, has concluded with Josh's sentencing. Josh Edwards, 35, received four years and three months in prison after pleading guilty to two fraud counts. He is likely to be deported to Canada following his sentence. Charges against his father, Evan Edwards, were dropped in March 2025 because he was deemed incompetent to stand trial due to moderate to severe dementia and significant cognitive deficits.

The case detailed an $8.4 million pandemic relief loan, allegedly based on falsified documents, and included claims of faked mental health issues, shredded documents found in a Mercedes SUV, and cellphones in signal-blocking pouches. Josh's attorney portrayed him as a scapegoat, stating his father ran the ministry, ASLAN International. Despite claims of Josh having autism, he was ruled competent to stand trial.

The fraudulent scheme targeted the Paycheck Protection Program, which aimed to aid small businesses during the Covid pandemic. Government reports indicate over $200 billion in Covid relief loans and grants were likely defrauded between March 2020 and January 2022. The Edwards family had relocated to Florida from Turkey in 2019, settling near Orlando.