Democratic state lawmakers in Michigan have “voluntarily” returned thousands of dollars they received as part of relief funds issued after the government-imposed coronavirus lockdown.
The case involves Christian Grant, a first-term Democratic state representative from Grand Rapids. As a small business owner, Grant has submitted multiple applications for funding from the Kent County Small Business Recovery Fund, which came out of the federal CARES Act after the coronavirus lockdown. Eventually Grant was given $15,000.
However, after that review Her application revealed discrepancies between documents. In one of her tax returns, Grant reported that her Game Plan Lifestyle Planner business generated nearly $4,300 in sales for her in 2019. In a separate tax return, she said her 2019 sales revenue for the same business was just $205.
Mr Grant initially blamed the mistake on confusion as some orders placed in 2019 were not delivered until 2020.
County officials told her she could keep the entire amount as long as she filed updated tax returns. And she filed an amended return last May, she claimed, according to Kent County Administrator Al Vanderburgh.
However, a subsequent review of these materials earlier this month revealed that no such amended return was actually ever filed.
Grant subsequently decided to return $5,000 in coronavirus-related funds, indicating in a statement that he simply wanted to forget about the issue. “Despite no finding of fraud or wrongdoing on my part, I am voluntarily repaying the $5,000 grant awarded to Game Plan Lifestyle Planners through the Kent County Small Business Recovery Fund. “I made a decision,” she said.
“Although I relied on professionals to prepare my tax returns, I take full responsibility for oversight and believe that returning the funds is the right thing to do,” she continued. She now believes the issue is “completely resolved.”
In her statement, she also mentioned “someone with ulterior motives” who appeared to have a grudge against her. She claimed this person “instigated” county officials to review the application.
County Commissioner Al Vanderburgh said his office was simply conducting a due diligence review of Grant’s case. “As stewards of taxpayers’ money, we take our responsibilities seriously,” he said in a statement. “We have thoroughly addressed the issues raised regarding Rep. Grant’s application and subsequent funding. We continue to uphold the highest standards of accountability and transparency.”
Mr. Vanderburg confirmed that Mr. Grant returned the funds. He added that the office, which has rejected about 30% of coronavirus-related applications, believes all other grant recipients are legitimate.
“We have not received any additional appeals and have no reason to believe that any other applications were at fault.”
State Rep. Christian Grant returns $5,000 in coronavirus fundswww.youtube.com
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