“Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” could be in hot water with the law because of one of their members’ actions.
Cult 1990s kids’ show Red Ranger Jason Lawrence Geiger, 47, was arrested for his alleged involvement in a scheme to fraudulently obtain federal COVID-19 relief funds.
The Eastern District of Texas US Attorney’s Office announced this week that Austin St. John Geiger, a musician, was among 19 people charged in connection with the scheme, which resulted in at least 16 fraudulent loans totaling $3.5 million.
Prosecutors say the McKinney, Texas, resident was part of a network that submitted Paycheck Protection Program loan applications with false information or fabricated documents.
“Tank” and Andrew Moran, both 47, recruited others to apply for the loans, which were part of the massive $349 billion federal CARES Act, by using “an existing business or creating a business.”
But those in the network paid Hill and Moran or used the money to pay for their own expenses because of the COVID pandemic and subsequent shutdown. According to prosecutors, some of the accused sent money to Jonathan Spencer, a 33-year-old who invested in foreign currency markets.
He was detained after his arrest on Tuesday and will remain in custody until a court hearing on Monday in Plano. According to his lawyer, he has pleaded not guilty to any of the charges brought against him, and the actor intends to “vigorously defend himself against this allegation.”
Prosecutors say that if convicted, each of the defendants could face up to 20 years in federal prison.