Former USC linebacker Abdul-Malik McClain has received a sentence of time already served and was ordered to repay $228,995 as a result of his involvement in a fraudulent scheme that sought over $1 million in COVID-related unemployment benefits. The ruling was made by U.S. District Judge Otis Wright II on Tuesday. McClain, aged 26, who was recently residing in Coto de Caza, Orange County, will also undergo two years of supervised release following his guilty plea to one count of felony mail fraud in June 2024.
McClain, who played for USC from 2018 to 2020 before transferring to Jackson State University, faced multiple charges five years ago, including mail fraud and aggravated identity theft. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, he was involved in organizing a group of football players to submit fraudulent claims for unemployment benefits. These claims were filed under the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program, which was established by Congress to address the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Court documents indicate that the claims contained false information regarding the players’ supposed employment histories, pandemic-related job losses, and efforts to seek employment within California. The California Employment Development Department (EDD) authorized Bank of America to distribute debit cards linked to these fraudulent claims, resulting in payouts that totaled at least $227,736.
The Justice Department outlined that McClain not only assisted others in filing these fraudulent applications but also filed claims under his name, the names of friends, and even identities of victims of theft. During the summer of 2020, it is estimated that McClain was responsible for filing at least three dozen fraudulent applications with the EDD, with claims totaling over **$1 million**.
In a statement following McClain’s charges in 2021, USC acknowledged its response to the situation, stating, “When the university learned of this matter in September 2020, we notified law enforcement and have been fully cooperating with authorities.”
Before his collegiate career, McClain had a notable high school tenure at JSerra High School in Rancho Santa Margarita. His actions during the pandemic, however, have led to significant legal repercussions, marking a stark contrast to his athletic achievements.
This case highlights the ongoing challenges related to fraud during times of crisis and the need for vigilance in the distribution of emergency benefits.
