NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — The Hampton landlord accused of fraudulently obtaining COVID-19 relief funds and racially harassing tenants could spend decades behind bars.
On Wednesday, 59-year-old David Merryman pleaded guilty to wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and race-based interference with housing and employment.
According to prosecutors, Merryman owns 39 properties in Newport News and 23 in Hampton — many in poor condition and located in low-income neighborhoods.
They say between 2019 and 2024, he forged tenant signatures on pandemic rent relief applications, as well as fraudulently obtained large initial payments from tenants, like security deposits and prepaid rent. Then, after obtaining the money, he'd evict the tenants.
"Merryman implied to prospective tenants that he would lease the rentals for longer tenancy terms but intended to evict them as quickly as possible to restart the cycle of fraud and collect more high initial payments from new tenants," according to a Wednesday release from the Department of Justice.
Prosecutors also say Merryman harassed his tenants using racial slurs, comments about slavery and death threats.
In one instance, prosecutors say Merryman victimized a tenant who had paid him rent regularly for 6 years until she was laid off during the pandemic after being hospitalized. Merryman is accused of forging her signature to get $15,000 in rent relief from the government and then evicting her and disposing of all her belongings while she was in the hospital.
Merryman's sentencing hearing is set for December 18. He faces up to 20 years in prison.