A federal judge ordered two New Smyrna Beach residents indicted in a scheme to defraud the government out of millions of dollars in coronavirus relief dollars to undergo evaluations after one did not appear for a hearing and the other appeared but did not respond to the judge, according to minutes of the hearing.
Evan Edwards, 64, and his son, Joshua Edwards, 30, were indicted in a scheme in which they are accused of using a phony ministry to defraud the Small Business Administration out of approximately $8.4 million according the indictment.
They both had an initial appearance on Wednesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge David A. Baker in Orlando.
But Evan Edwards did not attend his initial appearance “for reported medical reasons,” according to the minutes of the hearing.
Baker provisionally appointed federal Public Defender Erin Hyde to represent Evan Edwards because he “is unable or has refused to testify under oath,” concerning his legal representation, according to an order.
Joshua Edwards was present but did not respond to the judge’s questions or comments, according to the minutes of the hearing. Baker issued a similar order for Joshua Edwards stating he was “unable or has refused to testify under oath” about his legal representation.
The minutes state that “Based on the defendant’s lack of response to the Court’s inquiries, the Court provisionally appoints (attorney) Charles Taylor” to represent Joshua Edwards.
Baker ordered that…
