TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – State investigators say a Georgia man is behind a scheme to steal disaster-relief funds intended for Florida small businesses recovering from the 2024 hurricanes. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has arrested Carl Anthony Needham Jr., 31, of Atlanta, on charges of grand theft over $20,000, identity theft and money laundering.
According to FDLE, the case began after the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office received a report that someone had used another person’s identity to file an Emergency Bridge Loan application with the Florida Department of Commerce. The program provides financial relief to businesses hit hard by Hurricanes Milton and Helene.
Investigators found that two applications had been submitted under the victim’s name: a legitimate $25,000 request filed by the actual applicant, and a second fraudulent submission for $38,000. While both applications listed the victim’s personal information, the second listed a different bank account for deposit. The fraudulent loan was approved, and the money was sent to an account tied to Needham…