Bethel Construction Worker Faces Larceny, Unemployment Fraud Charges

BETHEL, CONN. -- A 45-year-old Bethel man is facing felony larceny and fraud charges after authorities say he collected nearly $14,000 in unemployment benefits in 2013 while working in construction, state's attorney officials said.

A 45-year-old Bethel man was charged with larceny and fraud after a state's attorney investigation showed he collected unemployment money while working, officials said.
Photo Credit: *File*

Amy Maciaszek

04/20/2016 11:00 a.m.

Ajredin Islami, of Hoyts Hill Road in Bethel, was charged with one count each of first-degree larceny by defrauding a public community and unemployment compensation fraud, officials said. He was arrested Tuesday by inspectors from the Unemployment Compensation Fraud Unit of the Office of the Chief State's Attorney.

He was released on $10,000 bond and is due back Thursday in New Britain Superior Court, officials said.

The arrest stemmed from an investigation into a complaint filed with the Connecticut Department of Labor. Investigators with the fraud unit, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor, found he collected $13,629 in unemployment from May through November 2013 while simultaneously working for an Oxford construction company, officials said.

The felony larceny charge carries a punishment of up to 20 years in prison and/or up to a $15,000 fine. If convicted of the fraud charge, the punishment is up to five years in prison and/or a fine of up to $5,000, officials said.

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