Former Missouri House speaker sentenced to prison for COVID relief fraud - AP News
Quick Insights
The Bottom Line
A former Missouri House speaker was sentenced to prison for misusing COVID relief funds.
How This Affects You
Misuse of federal relief funds can divert resources meant for public health and economic support from your community.
AI Summary
A former Missouri House speaker has been sentenced to prison for COVID-19 relief fraud. John Diehl received a 15-month sentence after pleading guilty to a federal charge of wire fraud. Prosecutors stated Diehl fraudulently obtained $1.2 million in Paycheck Protection Program loans for his real estate title company by misrepresenting employee numbers. He was also ordered to pay $1.2 million in restitution. This sentencing concludes a federal investigation into misuse of pandemic-era financial aid by a former state legislative leader.
What's Being Done
A former Missouri House speaker was sentenced to 15 months in prison for COVID relief fraud.
Following this story?
Get notified when new coverage appears
This article is part of a story we're tracking:
Should this be getting more attention?
You Might Have Missed
Related stories from different sources and perspectives
Government TransparencyEx-Missouri house speaker sentenced 21 months for misusing Covid relief funds
<p>John Diehl admitted using federal pandemic loans for country club dues, cars and other personal expenses</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2026/feb/17/sign-up-for-the-breaking-news-us-email-to-get-newsletter-alerts-direct-to-your-inbox?utm_medium=ACQUISITIONS_STANDFIRST&utm_campaign=BN22326&utm_content=signup&utm_term=standfirst&utm_source=GUARDIAN_WEB"><strong>Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inbox</strong></a></p></li></ul><p>A former <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/missouri">Missouri</a> state 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, including the payments of his country club dues and three cars.</p><p>John Diehl, the former Republican house speaker, received about $380,000 in federal loans for his law firm between 2020 and 2022 through a program intended to help cover...
Government TransparencyOversight panel demands interview with former Epstein prison guard
The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee requested an interview with a prison guard who was on duty the day Jeffrey Epstein died as part of its broader investigation into the convicted sex offender’s death. “Due to public reporting, documents released by the Department of Justice, and documents obtained by the Committee, the Committee believes…
PoliticsPelosi backs former Capitol Police officer over Hoyer’s preferred successor in Maryland
The former House speaker is endorsing Harry Dunn over retiring Rep. Steny Hoyer’s former campaign manager.
Government TransparencyNew Mexico prosecutors launch search of Jeffrey Epstein’s secluded former Zorro Ranch - AP News
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMirAFBVV95cUxPaHNVSlcxWUpuNXN4QmVrajhwcDM2WUxQRWI1NEd1MnRScEFiZDh5SjU3b0kyTHJ2SDE4TDJqQjhZX2JsVXZjQXQ1WnVqMHdWOHMxcm9fR0dycVRIOTFCdlN0d0dhVklRdFV1SlNjQ1BvME02bmVXTnNzVE9BZnZCNDVuRk01RzNIZGMyajBZYUhYeUNSUUFfUjMxdmU0cng5dUd2TnhvQWdaZGdF?oc=5" target="_blank">New Mexico prosecutors launch search of Jeffrey Epstein’s secluded former Zorro Ranch</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>
Government TransparencyWhite House fires NTSB board member after reports of concerning behavior - Reuters
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiswFBVV95cUxOU1R6RVhwUThzaVFyUTF2ZEtfdGVQM1ZmTk84Yk5fZ1hUWDkxRTVxeHJzbjhTc20zRHA5TC1iS1NubjhuVml2b3R5emhnRXZtUTA0Z09ZT2ZyQ1pXSGV0ZXhuU2UzemFRRVBLWVhMUmJZYllpa2NoT2tCZzJNUENvS1Nyc1lERi1GYzc2dlhVdlA3aDBSQW4yaEgyakVkRng0eTM1NWgtbUFDS01ma3pnbWMzZw?oc=5" target="_blank">White House fires NTSB board member after reports of concerning behavior</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>
Civil RightsFeds move to dismiss charges against Army veteran who burned American flag near White House - AP News
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMipAFBVV95cUxObGhQYlNSNk9yTVZKcFlFaEhxMXBXVHgydWcwcnYwcnhQcnhQMHhNai1qcC1UVURNRXplZVhBLWFEenRoeU9iUERkQVRDUlF1aE1sWHFRWGhQdWxrZ3NidHF2aHN6QTZfZVJ1a015VklnQWxOTzBOLTZkZXhZV1dtM2FnUTZDUjFJSTVMSkhUZ0FDcnhtTlVMNWlzckozV2JBclpDRA?oc=5" target="_blank">Feds move to dismiss charges against Army veteran who burned American flag near White House</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>
FCC chair threatens to throttle news broadcasts over ‘hoaxes’ about Iran war
<p>Brendan Carr posts that he may cancel spectrum permits of ‘mainstream news’ outlets for ‘misleading’ coverage</p><p>The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/trump-administration">Trump administration</a>’s communications licensing tsar fired a warning shot over the US broadcasting industry Saturday, threatening to cancel the spectrum permits of broadcasters pushing what he termed “hoaxes and news distortions”.</p><p>Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chair Brendan Carr posted on social media that broadcasters running “fake news – have a chance now to correct course before their license renewals come up. The law is clear. Broadcasters must operate in the public interest, and they will lose their licenses if they do not.”</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/14/fcc-broadcast-permits-iran-war-news">Continue reading...</a>
Did this story change how you see things?
Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.
The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.
See our sourcesMost Read This Week
Whitmer's office calls for probe into why weather service didn't issue tornado watch - The Detroit News
Defense official reveals how AI chatbots could be used for targeting decisions
Rubio designates Afghanistan as ‘state sponsor of wrongful detention’
Senate Democrat calls for investigation into Texas drone incidents
WADA to weigh barring Trump, US officials from LA Olympics and possibly World Cup over unpaid dues - AP News
