MACON, Ga. — A Macon man who once ran for the Georgia legislature pleaded guilty on Wednesday to using $2 million in COVID aid to "enrich" himself , including buying a luxury $120,000 Bentley, according to court documents and prosecutors.

Prosecutors accuse Frank James Austin Jr. was indicted back in 2024 for lying with co-conspirator Rosalend Way to secure millions in Paycheck Protection Program aid for employees who actually didn't exist.

That's the COVID-19 era program that helped cover payroll expenses for businesses who were impacted by the pandemic.

But in court on Wednesday, Austin pleaded guilty , admitting to misusing the federal funds. Austin, who ran for the statehouse back in 2016 , will be sentenced on Nov. 19, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. in Macon.

The U.S. Department of Just

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