CLEVELAND — EDITOR'S NOTE: The video in the player above is from a previous story.
Seven Northeast Ohio men and women have been charged in federal court after officials say they unlawfully obtained pandemic unemployment insurance benefits.
Court documents say the seven people have been indicted on mail fraud and conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud charges. Those charged are as follows:
- Lawrence Lawson, 41, Cleveland, Ohio
- Cierra Clifton, 38, Willowick, Ohio
- Emanuel Smith, 49, Cleveland, Ohio
- Terrance Jones, 27, Cleveland, Ohio
- Quantez Lawson, 29, Cleveland, Ohio
- Charles Moore, 35, Cleveland, Ohio
- Mark Dailey, 54, Cleveland, Ohio
The indictment says from around May 17, 2020 through about November 13, 2020, those seven individuals conspired to submit fraudulent unemployment applications to get the pandemic unemployment insurance benefits to which they were not entitled.
Those applications were subsequently processed and all defendants got debit cards in the mail that were loaded with benefits. When all was said and done, the payout totaled more than $290,000.
Acting U.S. Attorney Bridget M. Brennan stated, “This indictment represents the Department of Justice’s commitment to prosecute those who are alleged to have fraudulently obtained government benefits to which they were not entitled.”
Irene Lindow, Special Agent-in-Charge, Chicago Region, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General stated, "An important mission of the Office of Inspector General is to investigate allegations of unemployment insurance fraud. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate these types of allegations."
“This indictment represents our continuing resolve to root out fraud and corruption in all forms, and demand integrity of those entrusted to carry out government programs,” said HUD OIG Special Agent in Charge Michael Powell. “It is our continuing core mission to work with our law enforcement partners and the United States Attorney’s Office to protect our housing programs and to take strong action against those who seek to illegally benefit from them.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Eric Smith stated, "These individuals are believed to have engaged in fraud in order to financially enrich themselves. Anytime fraud is committed using a government funded program all tax paying citizens are victims. The FBI will continue to work with our partners to ensure fraud is uncovered and dealt with in a court of law."
If the defendants are convicted, the Court will take into account each person's prior criminal record, if there is one, the defendant's role in the case and the characteristics of each violation.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Department of Labor-Office of Inspector General, and the U.S. Housing and Urban Development-Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Megan R. Miller and Erica D. Barnhill are prosecuting the case.
If you believe you’ve been a victim of unemployment insurance fraud, please report the matter to the National Center for Disaster Fraud by calling (866) 720-5721 or by clicking HERE.
EDITOR'S NOTE: The video in the player below is from a previous story.