TAYLOR COUNTY, Fla. (WCTV) — A Georgia man has been arrested for allegedly stealing disaster recovery funds meant to support small businesses impacted by last year’s hurricanes. Authorities say 31-year-old Carl Needham, of Atlanta, fraudulently obtained $38,000 in emergency loan money designated for Florida storm victims.
According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), Needham used the stolen personal information of a legitimate applicant seeking assistance after Hurricane Helene. Investigators say he then submitted a false loan application in his own favor.
The fraudulent application was approved, and Needham is accused of transferring the funds through several accounts in an attempt to conceal the money’s origin. FDLE said these transactions triggered the money laundering charge.
Needham was arrested in Georgia last week and is awaiting extradition to Taylor County, where he will face charges of grand theft, identity theft, and money laundering.
