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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
David A. Lieb

Former Missouri House speaker sentenced to prison for COVID relief fraud

US Pandemic Fraud Former Missouri Speaker - (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

A former Missouri House speaker was sentenced Monday to 21 months in prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud for misusing federal COVID-19 relief funds for his personal benefit.

Former Republican House Speaker John Diehl received about $380,000 in federal loans for his law firm between 2020 and 2022 through a program intended to help cover operating expenses for businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

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