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New York State Department of Labor

$1.6M Fraud Scheme: Capital Region Man Admits Role In Unemployment Insurance Scam $1.6M Fraud Scheme: Capital Region Man Admits Role In Unemployment Insurance Scam
$1.6M Fraud Scheme: Capital Region Man Admits Role In Unemployment Insurance Scam A man from the region admitted to taking part in a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme that targeted unemployment insurance benefits. Rensselaer County resident Todd Ward, age 45, of Troy, pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) in Albany federal court in late June 2024. Prosecutors said Ward confessed to providing co-conspirator Carl DiVeglia with the personal identifying information of another individual, which DiVeglia then used to file a false claim on the NYSDOL website. Earlier Report: Former State Employee From Albany Pleads Guilty…
‘Is He Serious?’ NY Ice Cream Shop Owner Accused Of Stealing Employees’ Tips ‘Is He Serious?’ NY Ice Cream Shop Owner Accused Of Stealing Employees’ Tips
‘Is He Serious?’ NY Ice Cream Shop Owner Accused Of Stealing Employees’ Tips Social media is abuzz with outrage after a New York mother accused an ice cream shop owner of withholding customer tips that were given to her 15-year-old son and other employees. In a post on a community Facebook page Monday, July 1, the Long Island resident said her son quit his job at the Hauppauge business after the owner allegedly told him he “can’t figure out” how to separate tips that customers paid using a debit or credit card on his point-of-sale system. “I am not one who tips for every little thing, but people were tipping these kids on their credit cards, which they really apprec…
Minimum Wage Increase In Westchester: Here's How Much It Will Rise As New Year Begins Minimum Wage Increase In Westchester: Here's How Much It Will Rise As New Year Begins
Minimum Wage Increase In Westchester: Here's How Much It Will Rise As New Year Begins As the New Year draws closer, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is reminding residents that the state's minimum wage will increase as soon as the ball drops.  Beginning on Monday, Jan. 1, the minimum wage in New York City, Westchester County, and Long Island will go up to $ 16 per hour, and $15 per hour for the rest of the state, Hochul reminded residents on Wednesday, Dec. 27.  Earlier Report - Minimum Wage To Go Up In New York: Here's When, How Much Additionally, the minimum wage for home care aides will increase to $18.55 per hour in New York City, Westchester, and Lon…
Minimum Wage Increase In NY: Here's How Much It Will Rise As New Year Begins Minimum Wage Increase In NY: Here's How Much It Will Rise As New Year Begins
Minimum Wage Increase In NY: Here's How Much It Will Rise As New Year Begins As the New Year draws closer, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is reminding residents that the state's minimum wage will increase as soon as the ball drops.  Beginning on Monday, Jan. 1, the minimum wage in New York City, Westchester County, and Long Island will go up to $ 16 per hour, and $15 per hour for the rest of the state, Hochul reminded residents on Wednesday, Dec. 27.  Earlier Report - Minimum Wage To Go Up In New York: Here's When, How Much Additionally, the minimum wage for home care aides will increase to $18.55 per hour in New York City, Westchester, and Lon…
COVID-19: Duo From Capital Region Admits To $100K Unemployment Insurance Fraud Scheme COVID-19: Duo From Capital Region Admits To $100K Unemployment Insurance Fraud Scheme
Covid-19: Duo From Capital 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…
Drunk Driver Admits Causing Wrong-Way Crash In Region That Killed 'Glue To Our Families' Drunk Driver Admits Causing Wrong-Way Crash In Region That Killed 'Glue To Our Families'
Drunk Driver Admits Causing Wrong-Way Crash In Region That Killed 'Glue To Our Families' More than a year after a 68-year-old woman was killed in a wrong-way crash in the region by a drunk driver, the man responsible has admitted fault. Mark Brodie, age 63, of Schenectady, pleaded guilty to a host of charges, including aggravated vehicular homicide, in Schenectady County Court on Thursday, Feb. 9, in the death of Denise Guthinger. Prosecutors said Brodie got behind the wheel on Oct. 29, 2021 after drinking alcohol and taking several controlled substances, including xanax and oxycodone. Shortly after 6 p.m., while driving in the Town of Niskayuna, he crossed the center line of…
This County In Region Now Leads State In Job Growth, Report Says This County In Region Now Leads State In Job Growth, Report Says
This County In Region Now Leads State In Job Growth, Report Says Those looking for work would do well to check out one New York county above all others. Sullivan County is leading the entire state - even New York City - in job growth, according to a new report from the state Department of Labor. Private-sector job growth in Sullivan County grew 9.1 percent year-over-year for September 2022, the report found. For comparison, New York City had a 6.8 percent job growth rate during the same period. Information services and the leisure and hospitality industries saw the most significant growth from the previous year at 100 percent and 32.5 percent, respect…
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…
Westchester Restaurant Owner Sentenced For Failing To Pay $23K In Wages To Employees Westchester Restaurant Owner Sentenced For Failing To Pay $23K In Wages To Employees
Westchester Restaurant Owner Sentenced For Failing To Pay $23K In Wages To Employees The owner of a Westchester County restaurant was sentenced for failing to pay more than $23,000 in wages to eight employees. Paul Hurley, age 57, of New Rochelle, was sentenced on Wednesday, Sept. 14, to three years of probation and ordered to pay full restitution to the victims, Westchester County District Attorney Miriam Rocah announced. In June, Hurley pleaded guilty to failure to pay wages for failing to pay eight employees of Hurley's Steakhouse and Pub a total of $23,114 for their work between October 2018 and June 2019, the DA's Office reported. The restaurant has since closed.…
Westchester Man Among Trio Nabbed In $701K Fraud Scheme, Feds Say Westchester Man Among Trio Nabbed In $701K Fraud Scheme, Feds Say
Westchester Man Among Trio Nabbed In $701K Fraud Scheme, Feds Say Three men are facing federal charges for allegedly using other people’s identities to defraud the New York Labor Department out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Errol Murray, age 21, of Yonkers; Taliek Lanier, age 22, of Albany; and Thomas Brace, age 61, of Altoona, Pennsylvania, formerly of Albany, were all arrested on federal charges of mail and wire fraud, plus identity theft. Federal prosecutors said the trio conspired with a 36-year-old Albany woman, Jamie Johnson, and provided her with the personal identifying information of other people. Jonson pleaded guilty in February 2022 of…
Former State Employee From Capital District Pleads Guilty To Unemployment Insurance Fraud Former State Employee From Capital District Pleads Guilty To Unemployment Insurance Fraud
Former State Employee From Capital District 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…
Postal Workers Charged After Fraud Evidence Discovered In Westchester Hotel, Feds Say Postal Workers Charged After Fraud Evidence Discovered In Westchester Hotel, Feds Say
Postal Workers Charged After Fraud Evidence Discovered In Westchester Hotel, Feds Say Three United States Postal Service workers were charged in a bribery and mail theft scheme after evidence was discovered at a Westchester County hotel. Oscar Abreu, age 41, of South Ozone Park, Rafael Grullon, of Manhattan, age 40, and Aldo Palomino Jr., of Long Island City, age 30, were charged in connection with their participation in a conspiracy to receive bribes and steal hundreds of pieces of mail, according to an announcement from Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York. The US Attorney's Office said the defendants are each charged with …
Capital District Man Admits To $207K Unemployment Insurance Fraud Capital District Man Admits To $207K Unemployment Insurance Fraud
Capital District Man Admits To $207K Unemployment Insurance Fraud A Capital District man could spend decades in federal prison after admitting to stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars in COVID-19 pandemic-related unemployment insurance benefits. Kahleke Taylor, age 21, of Albany, pleaded guilty to mail fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft charges Tuesday, Aug. 9, in federal court in Albany. Prosecutors said Taylor stole the personal information of other people on social media and then used that information to file false unemployment insurance applications with the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL). On one application, filed in A…
COVID-19: Capital District Man Sentenced For $144K Pandemic Relief Fraud COVID-19: Capital District Man Sentenced For $144K Pandemic Relief Fraud
Covid-19: Capital District Man 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…
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…
COVID-19: Man Charged In Hudson Valley For Attempting To Steal $1.9M In Benefits, Feds Say COVID-19: Man Charged In Hudson Valley For Attempting To Steal $1.9M In Benefits, Feds Say
Covid-19: Man Charged In Hudson Valley For Attempting To Steal $1.9M In Benefits, Feds Say Federal officials have charged a 40-year-old man for his role in attempting to steal nearly $2 million in COVID-19 unemployment benefits during the pandemic. Yohauris Rodriguez Hernandez was arrested in Orange County on Wednesday, Jan. 19 in Goshen and now faces a host of federal charges in connection to his role in a COVID-19 unemployment benefit scheme. It is alleged that Hernandez and a co-conspirator attempted to steal more than $1.9 million from the New York State Department of Labor (NYS DOL) and other states’ agencies tasked with the administration of unemployment benefits. US Atto…
Can You Be Tested Or Fired For Smoking Pot? New York State Offers Guidance To Residents Can You Be Tested Or Fired For Smoking Pot? New York State Offers Guidance To Residents
Can You Be Tested Or Fired For Smoking Pot? New York State Offers Guidance To Residents The New York State Department of Labor has offered guidance to residents about cannabis use and the workplace. According to the department, employers are allowed to take action against an employee if the employee is impaired by cannabis while working. The state said there must be "specific articulable symptoms" of the employee's impairment that decrease the employee's ability to perform their job or interfere with the employer's ability to create a safe and healthy work environment. The department said these symptoms are defined as "objectively observable indications that the employee’s pe…
COVID-Related Layoffs Affect Thousands In Hudson Valley COVID-Related Layoffs Affect Thousands In Hudson Valley
Covid-related Layoffs Affect Thousands In Hudson Valley Thousands of workers in the Hudson Valley have been laid off amid the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Nearly a dozen companies in the Hudson Valley were forced to lay off or furlough more than 2,500 employees, according to information from the New York State Department of Labor’s Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN). Employers in Westchester, Orange, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, Dutchess, and Orange counties all made filings, according to the Department of Labor. The largest reported to the state labor department is MGM Yonkers, doing business as Empire City Casino, …
COVID-19: Google's NY State Online Unemployment Application System Now Online COVID-19: Google's NY State Online Unemployment Application System Now Online
Covid-19: Google's NY State Online Unemployment Application System Now Online Google and other companies have given a helping hand to New Yorkers who found themselves unemployed due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. A handful of tech companies, highlighted by Google, teamed up to help the New York State Department of Labor’s online unemployment application page, which has been overwhelmed since the outbreak of COVID-19. The Department of Labor has seen an unprecedented spike in unemployment insurance applications during the pandemic, which has caused the online and telephone system to crash, prompting officials to enter a “Tech Surge” with Google Clo…
COVID-19: Supermarket With Stores In Dutchess, Putnam, Ulster Is Hiring COVID-19: Supermarket With Stores In Dutchess, Putnam, Ulster Is Hiring
Covid-19: Supermarket With Stores In Dutchess, Putnam, Ulster Is Hiring A grocery store chain with multiple locations in the Hudson Valley will be increasing employees’ wages and are hiring new staff amid the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Tops Markets, which has locations in Carmel, Lagrangeville, New Paltz, and Rhinebeck, announced that full-time employees will receive an hourly raise of $1, with part-time employees earning 50 more cents per hour. Employee raises will be in effect through at least Saturday, April 18, at which point the company will re-evaluate the situation. According to the New York State Department of Labor, the number of unemploym…
COVID-19: These Businesses Are Hiring Workers COVID-19: These Businesses Are Hiring Workers
Covid-19: These Businesses Are Hiring Workers Although the novel coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19) has forced employees at non-essential businesses to work from home, while thousands of others have been laid off, some companies are padding their workforce and hiring new employees. Nationwide, many bars, restaurants, and non-essential businesses voluntarily or were ordered to shutter their doors amid fears of the spread of COVID-19, though the grocery store business continues to boom as area residents stock up on items. According to multiple reports, ShopRite, Price Chopper, Tops, and Stop & Shop are all in the market for thousands of…
Luxury Retailer Barneys Sets Closing Date For Its Stores Luxury Retailer Barneys Sets Closing Date For Its Stores
Luxury Retailer Barneys Sets Closing Date For Its Stores Barneys New York luxury goods stores and its corporate office will officially be closed later this month, costing hundreds of jobs after the company went bankrupt. The once iconic luxury retailer will shutter the doors of 15 stores across the country as of Sunday, Feb. 23, with 719 employees losing their jobs, according to the New York State Department of Labor. According to reports, any employee at the 97-year-old chain who has worked for the company at least two years received five-weeks severance, though workers did not receive accrued vacation time. The closures come after Barneys file…
State Agencies Directed To Help Furloughed Workers Amid Longest Government Shutdown State Agencies Directed To Help Furloughed Workers Amid Longest Government Shutdown
State Agencies Directed To Help Furloughed Workers Amid Longest Government Shutdown Some relief may be coming for furloughed federal employees in New York as the country’s longest government shutdown enters its fourth week. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that state agencies have been directed to provide support for federal workers, including those seeking unemployment insurance benefits. The Department of Labor has been instructed to accelerate the unemployment application process and extend the hours at the Call Center for those seeking benefits. "It is unconscionable that the President is holding hostage the wages and livelihoods of hard-working Americans in an att…
Delgado, Maloney Among Members Of Congress Donating, Withholding Paychecks During Shutdown Delgado, Maloney Among Members Of Congress Donating, Withholding Paychecks During Shutdown
Delgado, Maloney Among Members Of Congress Donating, Withholding Paychecks During Shutdown With the country mired in the longest government shutdown in American history, dozens of members of Congress have vowed to refuse their paychecks or donate their earnings in a show of solidarity with federal employees who have been without pay for weeks. The New York State Department of Labor said that there are approximately 114,000 federal employees in the state, all of whom have been without a paycheck since the shutdown began on Dec. 22 as politicians haggle about immigration reform. In total, an estimated 800,000 federal workers have been without work for weeks. Congress has passed a b…
Three Accused Of Stealing Unemployment Insurance Benefits In Westchester Three Accused Of Stealing Unemployment Insurance Benefits In Westchester
Three Accused Of Stealing Unemployment Insurance Benefits In Westchester 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…