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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Wanda Seeney (573) 751-7500
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 28, 2008
Nine Convicted of Unemployment Insurance Fraud; $38,000 in Restitution Ordered
Missouri Department of Labor Aggressively Investigates Fraud Cases
JEFFERSON CITY, MO – The Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations announces its referrals resulted in nine criminal convictions for unemployment insurance fraud. These convictions resulted in court-ordered restitution of more than $38,000.
The following were investigated by the department’s Division of Employment Security (DES) and were referred to the county’s prosecuting attorney or circuit attorney. Among the cases successfully prosecuted were:
- Loretta Young Phillips was sentenced on April 10, 2008, in St. Louis County to four years probation and ordered restitution of $6,108.44.
- Nicole H. Bartlett was sentenced on June 5, 2008, in St. Louis County to five years probation and ordered restitution of $5,483.00.
- Tylus T. Mister was sentenced on April 25, 2008, in St. Louis County to five years probation and ordered restitution of $3,624.00.
- Latasha Henry was sentenced on April 3, 2008, in St. Louis County to five years probation and ordered restitution of $5,981.00.
- Darrell L. Love was sentenced on April 24, 2008, in St. Louis City to five years probation and ordered restitution of $5,024.00.
- Bonnie Smith was sentenced on June 30, 2008, in Vernon County to five years probation and ordered restitution of $4,255.13.
- Regina Cross was sentenced on May 14, 2008, in St. Charles County to two years probation.
- Lavetta Dodd Ivy was sentenced on Sept. 13, 2007, in Jackson County to two years probation and ordered restitution of $4,600.00.
- Walter L. Graves was sentenced on April 24, 2008, in Jackson County to two years probation and ordered restitution of $3,244.00.
The DES actively pursues criminal prosecution of individuals who knowingly file fraudulent claims. Such claims raise employer tax rates and reduce the fund that is used for paying benefits.
Fraudulent unemployment insurance claims are those collected by individuals who do not qualify for them. Under Missouri law, workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own and are actively seeking work are eligible to receive up to 26 weeks of unemployment insurance benefits. Workers also must have worked in covered employment and earned certain wages to be entitled to any unemployment insurance benefits. In addition to employee fraud, the DES also aggressively pursues employer fraud.
For more information regarding the DES or to report potential unemployment insurance fraud, visit the Internet site, www.dolir.mo.gov/es or call
(573) 751-3215.
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