A longtime deputy district director for Congressman Danny Davis has been hit with federal charges for allegedly obtaining more than $31,000 in unemployment insurance benefits during the pandemic — while still working for the congressman.
Gerard C. Moorer, 42, of Chicago, is charged with three counts of wire fraud, each of which is punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison, the U.S. Attorney’s office announced on Wednesday.
Moorer is accused of engaging in fraud related to the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program, fraudulently applying for PUA benefits in May 2020 and claiming that he had met Covid-19 related reasons for being unemployed, partially unemployed or unable to work. His application was approved, and he continued to submit fraudulent certifications of his unemployment for 16 months — reaping $31,887 in benefits, the indictment alleges.
Moorer was employed by the federal government as an aide to Davis at the time of his application and certifications. According to Legistorm, Moorer has served as deputy district director for Davis since August 2013. He also served as Davis’ constituent services representative from May 2008 until August 2013.
Moorer also ran for the 10th District Illinois House Democratic primary seat in 2020, but lost to Jawaharial Williams, who remains in the Illinois House.
Davis, 84, last year announced he wouldn’t be seeking re-election after serving 15 terms in Congress. Davis declined to comment on the charges Wednesday afternoon.
The U.S. Attorney’s office said the charges against Moorer stem from U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros’ focus on prosecuting criminal fraud in federal government entitlement and benefit programs, including Covid-19 fraud. Boutros created a health care fraud section and touts nearly $2 billion charged in such cases since taking office.
Earlier this month, a sergeant became the third officer from the Chicago Police Department to be charged with defrauding the federal Paycheck Protection Program that was designed to help ailing businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sgt. Brandi Wright, 44, is accused of stealing more than $41,000 from the program. Federal prosecutors said she submitted two applications for PPP loans in 2021 for a bakery that didn’t exist. Wright also submitted phony tax documents to support her application, prosecutors said.
In a separate federal case, former Chicago police officers Torrey Price and Aaron Price are charged with stealing more than $2 million through about 100 phony loan applications connected to PPP and another federal aid program. Their trial is scheduled for September.
Arraignment for Moorer is scheduled for May 14.