Former Patriots WR charged with identity theft and unemployment fraud

We’d love nothing more than to take New England Patriots fans’ minds off the rumors linking them to a potential reunion with former second-round pick Jimmy Garoppolo, because that’s absolutely dominated the news cycle of late.

Ironically enough, however, we’ve actually stumbled across an incredibly pertinent story surrounding the team. It just doesn’t evoke what you would call “positive connotations”.

Per reports, former Patriots wide receiver Kenbrell Thompkins is being prosecuted for access device fraud and aggravated identity theft.

The United States Attorney’s Office alleges that Thompkins, who retired from football in 2015 after a brief three-year stint in the NFL, withdrew well over $200,000 in fraudulently obtained unemployment benefits throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

Former Patriots wide receiver Kenbrell Thompkins is being charged with identity fraud and unemployment fraud.

Thompkins allegedly “used the stolen properties of numerous Florida residents to obtain fraudulent unemployment insurance benefits from the State of California,” according to the United States Attorney’s Office.

"“Court documents allege that from August 16 through September 23, 2020, Thompkins used these debit cards to withdraw funds at various ATMs in Miami-Dade County,” the allegations read. “The alleged scheme involves approximately $300,000 in California unemployment insurance funds credited to the fraudulent debit cards associated with Thompkins, out of which approximately $230,000 of the funds were withdrawn.”"

The former Patriot is accused of thieving the identities of Florida residents to obtain debit cards that were then distributed as part of the CARES act, which allotted $2.2 trillion to provide timely financial aid to American citizens who were struggling to make ends meet amid the pandemic.

Thompkins appeared in 14 games (nine starts) for the Patriots before he was released just one month into the 2014 campaign. During that stretch, he hauled in 38 receptions for 519 yards and four touchdowns, but logged a lowly 47.5% catch rate and 6.5 yards per target.

Thompkins was signed by New England as an undrafted free agent in 2013, and is actually remembered fondly by fans for his game-winning touchdown catch with five seconds left in regulation to cap a dramatic comeback against the Saints in Week 5 of that year, which came on the same magical night as David Ortiz’s ALCS-altering grand slam against Detroit.

We’re not sure where it went wrong for Thompkins in his post-football endeavors, but it goes without saying that he’s in some deep and very hot water here. In the simplest of terms, if the 32-year-old is guilty of what he’s being accused of, he deserves everything that comes his way.

We’ll provide more updates on this development if necessary. However, given the magnitude of charges being made against Thompkins, this might be the last we hear of him for a long time.

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