Former Jackson State Football Player Abdul-Malik McClain Pleads Guilty in $1M COVID Scheme
Abdul-Malik McClain, a former University of Southern California (USC) football player, has pleaded guilty to a scheme that involved fraudulently obtaining over $1 million in COVID-related unemployment benefits from California’s Employment Development Department (EDD). McClain, who played for USC from 2018 to 2020, was taken into custody in December 2021 and charged with 12 counts, including 10 counts of mail fraud and two counts of identity theft.
The scheme, which took place between July 2020 and September 2020, involved McClain filing fraudulent claims under the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program on behalf of USC football players. McClain used the identities of teammates, friends, and others without their consent to file these claims, which were then processed by the EDD. The scheme resulted in McClain and his co-conspirators receiving approximately $283,063 in benefits.
McClain’s plea agreement, which was reached in June 2024, requires him to pay restitution and face substantial jail time. The maximum penalty for felony mail fraud is 20 years, but federal sentencing guidelines suggest a prison term of between 70 and 87 months.
The scheme was uncovered during a federal investigation into fraudulent claims filed under the PUA program. The investigation, which was conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice and the EDD, found that McClain and his co-conspirators had filed 36 fraudulent claims, using the identities of 36 different individuals.
McClain’s involvement in the scheme was first discovered in November 2020, when several USC football players were approached at their campus residences regarding the scheme. Some of these players received subpoenas to testify before a grand jury, which led to the discovery of the larger scheme.
The investigation and subsequent charges against McClain were met with widespread condemnation from the USC community and the broader public. Many saw the scheme as a betrayal of the trust placed in McClain as a student-athlete and a representative of the university.
In the aftermath of the scheme, McClain left USC and transferred to Jackson State University, where he played football in 2021. His brother, Munir McClain, also a former USC football player, transferred to the University of Utah.
The case against McClain serves as a stark reminder of the importance of ethical behavior and the consequences of engaging in fraudulent activities. It also highlights the need for increased vigilance and oversight in the administration of government programs, particularly during times of crisis.
the case of Abdul-Malik McClain serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of fraud and the importance of ethical behavior. It also underscores the need for increased transparency and accountability in the administration of government programs.