Georgia Businessman Pleads Guilty to Bank Fraud and Making False Statements to the Department of Veterans Affairs

ATLANTA, Georgia, March 13 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia issued the following news release:

* * *

Georgia Businessman Pleads Guilty to Bank Fraud and Making False Statements to the Department of Veterans Affairs

ATLANTA - Spencer Askew, the founder and former CEO of E-Freight Solutions Worldwide, LLC, a Georgia-based logistics and supply chain company, pleaded guilty to defrauding Vinings Bank in connection with obtaining a $1 million line of credit. Askew also pleaded guilty to making false statements to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in June 2020, falsely claiming that he had a relationship with 3M and could supply the VA with KN95-like masks during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Askew can no longer avoid the consequences of engaging in a fraudulent scheme that resulted in the loss of millions of dollars and of aggravating his criminal conduct by making false statements to law enforcement," said Acting U.S. Attorney Richard S. Moultrie, Jr. "This prosecution underscores our commitment to work with agency partners to combat all forms of fraud and deception."

"The defendant in this case was brought to justice for submitting falsified financial information about his companies to financial institutions in order to fraudulently obtain millions of dollars in loans and lines of credit," said Special Agent in Charge Kyle A. Myles, of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Office of Inspector General, Atlanta Region. "The FDIC OIG will continue to work diligently with our law enforcement partners to investigate and hold accountable those who commit such fraudulent offenses that threaten the safety and soundness of our Nation's financial institutions."

"This guilty plea holds the defendant accountable for his egregious attempt to exploit VA programs and services during a global pandemic," said Special Agent in Charge David Spilker, Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General's Southeast Field Office. "The VA OIG is dedicated to working with our law enforcement partners to ensure schemes like this are uncovered, investigated, and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

According to Acting U.S. Attorney Moultrie, the charges, and other information presented in court: Askew started E-Freight Solutions Worldwide, LLC in March 2010. E-Freight Solutions was a logistics and supply company that provided a network for carriers and suppliers of goods to partner and arrange the transportation of goods. In May 2015, Askew founded another entity, Techknowlogi Holdings, LLC d/b/a Teknowlogi. Teknowlogi conducted little or no actual business. Between February and April 2018, Askew executed a scheme to defraud Vinings Bank to obtain financing on behalf of Teknowlogi.

Initially, Askew falsely claimed to Vinings Bank that he was seeking the financing to acquire another logistics company, SaaS Transportation. But ultimately he obtained the financing by submitting materially false information regarding the nature of Teknowlogi's business and financial condition. Also, several years later, in June 2020, Askew repeatedly lied to a federal special agent about his ability to provide protective personal equipment - KN-95-like masks - to the VA during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In April 2023, a federal grand jury returned a sealed indictment against Askew, charging him with bank fraud and money laundering. In April 2024, Askew was arrested in Arizona after crossing the border from Mexico. Under the terms of his plea agreement, Askew agreed to pay more than $6 million in restitution.

On March 6, 2025, Spencer Askew, 46, of Newnan, Georgia, pleaded guilty to a criminal information charging him with one count of bank fraud and one count of making false statements to a federal agency. His sentencing is scheduled on May 15, 2025, at 10:00 am, before Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy C. Batten, Sr.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Office of Inspector General, and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex R. Sistla is prosecuting the case.

For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney's Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6280. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.

* * *

Original text here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga/pr/georgia-businessman-pleads-guilty-bank-fraud-and-making-false-statements-department