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MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Tammy Cavender (573)
751-7500
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 25, 2006
Sixteen Convicted of Unemployment Insurance Fraud; $93,000 in Restitution Ordered
Missouri Department of Labor Aggressively Investigates Fraud Cases
Jefferson City, MO – The Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations today announced its referrals resulted in 16 criminal convictions for unemployment insurance fraud and charges were filed against 13 more individuals. These convictions resulted in court ordered restitution of over $93,401.29.
These individuals were investigated by the Department’s Division of Employment Security and were referred to the county’s Prosecuting or Circuit Attorney. Among the cases successfully prosecuted were:
- Laverne Adams, Jr. was sentenced on December 12, 2005 in St. Louis City to five years probation and ordered restitution of $6,393.
- Linda Brayfield was sentenced on February 14, 2006 in Clay County to two years probation and ordered restitution of $6,500.
- Steven Cline was sentenced on March 21, 2006 in Platte County to five years probation and ordered restitution of $4,442.29.
- Lisa D. Davis was sentenced on February 16, 2006 in St. Louis City to five years probation and ordered restitution of $9,591.
- Carolyn Fleming was sentenced on March 6, 2006 in St. Louis City to three years probation and ordered restitution of $5,460.
- Lawonda Freeman was sentenced on March 20, 2006 in St. Louis City to five years probation and ordered restitution of $5,700.
- Phillip Hall was sentenced on March 13, 2006 in St. Louis City to five years probation and ordered restitution of $5,599.
- Gloria Harris was sentenced on July 29, 2005 in St. Louis County to two years probation and ordered restitution of $6,215.
- Helen Hulsey was sentenced on January 27, 2006 in St. Louis County to three years probation and ordered restitution of $5,335.
- Chris Hunt was sentenced on March 27, 2006 in St. Louis City to five years probation and ordered restitution of $6,417.
- Cora Moore was sentenced on February 21, 2006 in St. Louis City to five years probation and ordered restitution of $3,740.
- Arnold Shaddid was sentenced on March 16, 2006 in St. Louis County to five years probation and ordered restitution of $8,650.
- Leonetta Simpson was sentenced on March 6, 2006 in St. Louis City to four years probation and ordered restitution of $3,937.
- Beverly Weaver was sentenced on January 13, 2006 in St. Louis County to two years probation and ordered restitution of $6,447.
- Chasity Williams was sentenced on March 3, 2006 in St. Louis County to two years probation and ordered restitution of $4,164.
- Preston Wilson was sentenced on March 10, 2006 in St. Louis County to five years probation and ordered restitution of $4,811.
Restitution is paid to the Missouri Division of Employment Security and is returned to the Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund.
In addition, 13 individuals were charged for unemployment insurance fraud.
The following individuals in St. Louis City were charged with stealing the following amounts:
- Kimbra D. Dampier, $5,023
- Crystal Y. Edmond-Davis, $7,230
- Natalie Estes, $5,451
- Vera M. Peete, $7,741
- Roy L. Pendelton, $6,162.52
The following individuals in Jackson County were charged with stealing the following amounts:
- Jabbar Davis, $4,668
- Manasha Edwards, $5,579
- Berdina Oliver, $4,708
- Bonita C. President, $4,903
- Ronald Triplett, Jr., $4,500
The following individual in Jasper County was charged with stealing the following amounts:
- Quiterio Luciano, $5,849
The Division of Employment Security actively investigates criminal prosecution of individuals who file fraudulent claims. Such claims raise employer taxes and reduce the fund that is used for paying benefits.
Fraudulent unemployment insurance benefit claims are those collected by individuals who do not quality 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 must also have worked in covered employment and earned certain qualifying wages to be entitled to any unemployment insurance benefits.
The Division also collects unemployment insurance penalties and interest from employers. Penalties are imposed if an employer fails to file any required report by the specified due date. Interest accrues on contributions that are due and unpaid after each quarterly due date. In March, the Division collected $193,294 in penalties and interest from employers.
For more information regarding the Division of Employment Security or to report potential unemployment insurance fraud, visit www.dolir.mo.gov/es or call
(573) 751-3215.
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· P.O. Box 504 · Jefferson City, MO
65102-0504
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