Mississippi businessman sentenced in pandemic relief fraud

OXFORD, Miss. (AP) – A Mississippi businessman has been sentenced to more than six years in prison for misusing over $6 million in business loans through a pandemic relief program.

Christopher Paul Lick of Starkville was sentenced Friday in Oxford by a federal judge, nearly two months after pleading guilty to wire fraud.

Prosecutors say that rather than using the federal money for businesses, Lick admitted using it for personal investments and to buy a home valued at more than $1 million.

They also say he overstated his number of employees.

Lick owned and managed four companies, including Aspen River Candle Co., based in Columbus.

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8/15/2022 5:16:09 PM (GMT -5:00)