Nursing homes, contagious Clauses, toy drive boost: News from around our 50 states From USA TODAY Network and wire reports, USA TODAY
Alabama
Montgomery: A federal judge has thrown out a lawsuit challenging the state’s mandatory face mask mandate, which opponents claimed is unconstitutional. U.S. District Judge Keith Watkins, in a decision Tuesday, dismissed the lawsuit calling it a “shotgun pleading” that makes a lot of accusations without organization or solid legal claims. The same judge in October had refused the suit’s request to block the mask rule, which health officials have credited with lessening the impact of COVID-19, the illness caused by the new coronavirus. The mask order, which was first imposed in the summer and extends at least through Jan. 22, requires anyone over the age of 6 to wear masks in indoor public spaces and outdoors when it’s impossible to stay at least 6 feet away from others. The lawsuit was filed by former Alabama Chief J
Montana man acknowledges fraud on virus aid application
December 16, 2020 GMT
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) A Montana contractor acknowledged lying on an application for federal coronavirus relief money.
Matthew Jason Welch said he planned to use the money to pay off restitution in a separate criminal case, the Billings Gazette reported Tuesday. He pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud in U.S. District Court in Billings.
Under his plea agreement, prosecutors will dismiss a second count of wire fraud.
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The newspaper said Welch had applied for roughly $35,000 in Payroll Protection Program funds in April on behalf of his company, Welch Sole Proprietorship. The funds were provided by Congress to aid businesses struggling due to the pandemic.
Contractor accused of scamming homeowners admits lying on PPP loan application missoulian.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from missoulian.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.