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Unemployment Insurance Fraud

Politics
Trio Of Schemes That Led To Santos Arrest Detailed By Feds; Rep Not Resigning Over 'Witch Hunt' Trio Of Schemes That Led To Santos Arrest Detailed By Feds; Rep Not Resigning Over 'Witch Hunt'
Trio Of Schemes That Led To Santos Arrest Detailed By Feds; Rep Not Resigning Over 'Witch Hunt' Beleaguered New York Rep. George Santos is remaining defiant in the face of numerous federal criminal charges, refusing to resign from Congress and vowing to fight what he decried as a “witch hunt.” The 34-year-old Republican, whose 3rd District represents parts of Nassau County and Queens, pleaded not guilty to all 13 federal charges against him during his arraignment in Central Islip on Wednesday afternoon, May 10. He is charged with: Seven counts of wire fraud Three counts of money laundering Theft of public funds Two counts of making false statements on federal disclosure forms Follo…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
COVID-19: Duo From Region Admits To $100K Unemployment Insurance Fraud Scheme COVID-19: Duo From Region Admits To $100K Unemployment Insurance Fraud Scheme
Covid-19: Duo From Region Admits To $100K Unemployment Insurance Fraud Scheme Two men from the region could spend decades in federal prison after admitting to a massive unemployment insurance fraud scheme that included benefits meant to help those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Rensselaer County residents Taquan Parker, age 26, of Rensselaer, and Olajuwon Sutherland, age 27, of Troy, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and mail fraud charges in federal court in Albany on Monday, March 6. According to the US Attorney’s Office in the Northern District, Parker and Sutherland each gave the personal information of two other people to a third man, Kahleke Taylor, which Taylor…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
NY Labor Dept. On Track To Pay Over $110M In Fraudulent Unemployment Insurance Claims In 2022 NY Labor Dept. On Track To Pay Over $110M In Fraudulent Unemployment Insurance Claims In 2022
NY Labor Dept. On Track To Pay Over $110M In Fraudulent Unemployment Insurance Claims In 2022 The New York State Department of Labor is on track to pay out more than $110 million in fraudulent unemployment insurance claims in 2022, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office announced. A department investigation revealed that insurance fraud accounted for more than $11 million in benefits payments in August 2022 alone. The benefits were paid out almost exclusively to those who were already working while also collecting unemployment insurance payments during the COVID-19 pandemic, the governor’s office said. Hochul said the state plans to go after those who received fraudulent benefits payments and…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
Former State Employee From Region Pleads Guilty To Unemployment Insurance Fraud Former State Employee From Region Pleads Guilty To Unemployment Insurance Fraud
Former State Employee From Region Pleads Guilty To Unemployment Insurance Fraud A former employee at the New York State Department of Labor has admitted to using his position to commit unemployment insurance fraud. Albany resident Wendell Giles, age 52, pleaded guilty to mail fraud and aggravated identity theft Thursday, Aug. 25, in federal court in Albany. Original Report: Former State Employee From Albany Indicted For Unemployment Insurance Fraud Prosecutors had alleged that Giles conspired with another NYSDOL worker, Carl DiVeglia, to fraudulently obtain unemployment insurance benefits, including federally funded pandemic relief benefits. Together, they submi…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
COVID-19: Man From Region Sentenced For $144K Pandemic Relief Fraud COVID-19: Man From Region Sentenced For $144K Pandemic Relief Fraud
Covid-19: Man From Region Sentenced For $144K Pandemic Relief Fraud A Capital District man who admitted to taking advantage of COVID-19 relief programs is heading to federal prison. Rensselaer County resident Hector Sanchez, age 30, of Rensselaer, was sentenced to 70 months - or just under six years - behind bars Monday, July 25, in federal court in Albany. It followed his prior guilty plea in March 2022 to charges of defrauding pandemic-related unemployment insurance and small business loan programs. Federal prosecutors said Sanchez raked in more than $131,000 by submitting false unemployment insurance claims to the New York State Department of Labor usin…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
Former State Employee Indicted For Unemployment Insurance Fraud Former State Employee Indicted For Unemployment Insurance Fraud
Former State Employee Indicted For Unemployment Insurance Fraud A former employee at the New York State Department of Labor is accused of using his position to commit unemployment insurance fraud. A federal grand jury indictment unsealed Friday, April 22, alleges that Albany resident Wendell Giles, age 51, conspired with another NYSDOL worker to fraudulently obtain unemployment insurance benefits, including federally funded pandemic relief benefits. Giles pleaded not guilty Friday, April 22, to charges of mail fraud and aggravated identity theft. Federal prosecutors claim Giles and Carl DiVeglia III, of Albany, submitted fake unemployment insurance ap…

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by Michael Mashburn
Police & Fire
Alert Issued For Area Man Wanted On $27.7K Grand Larceny Charge Alert Issued For Area Man Wanted On $27.7K Grand Larceny Charge
Alert Issued For Area Man Wanted On $27.7K Grand Larceny Charge Have you seen him? New York State Police investigators in the area are seeking the public’s assistance as they attempt to track down a wanted man who was arrested for fourth-degree grand larceny. Police said that Alexander Saldana was arrested following an investigation by the New York Department of Labor that determined he fraudulently collected $27,748 in unemployment insurance. Saldana later failed to return to court and an arrest warrant was issued from the Orange County Court. Investigators described Saldana, 57, as a 5-foot-10 African American man weighing approximately 190 pounds w…

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by Zak Failla
News
Three Accused Of Stealing Unemployment Benefits In Hudson Valley Three Accused Of Stealing Unemployment Benefits In Hudson Valley
Three Accused Of Stealing Unemployment Benefits In Hudson Valley Three seasonal employees working in Westchester were busted for allegedly stealing thousands of dollars through unemployment insurance theft schemes despite being out of the country. Mount Kisco resident Jeremias Lara, Pedro Santana and Ivan Vacacela, both of Yonkers, were arrested on Tuesday as part of an ongoing investigation into unemployment insurance benefits fraud, Westchester County District Attorney Anthony Scarpino, Jr., announced.  Each of the three is charged with filing false New York State unemployment claims in White Plains, thereby defrauding the NYS Department of Labor. Lar…

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by Zak Failla