PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Former Philadelphia Eagles running back Wendell Smallwood has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud, conspiracy, and tax fraud related to COVID-19 pandemic relief programs.

Smallwood, 31, was also ordered to pay $645,000 in restitution during this sentencing this week.

He pleaded guilty to the charges back in December.

Prosecutors said Smallwood submitted fraudulent tax returns and applications for pandemic aid, including the Paycheck Protection Program and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program. Authorities said he stole over $500,000 in 2020 and 2021. He also submitted false tax returns to the tune of $110,000.

He used defunct or recently registered businesses and provided false information about the scale of

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