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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Cynthia Quetsch (573)
751-7500
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 4, 2007
Seventeen Convicted of Unemployment Insurance Fraud; Over $79,250 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 seventeen criminal convictions for unemployment insurance (UI) fraud and charges were filed against thirteen more individuals. These convictions resulted in court ordered restitution in the amount of $79,259.81.
The 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:
Junior Ratterree sentenced in Texas County on 12-05-06 to two years probation and ordered to make restitution of $4,444.00.
Jesse A. Bell sentenced in Jefferson County on 7-05-06 to five years probation and ordered to make restitution of $5,358.82.
Harry Tigue sentenced in St. Louis City on 10-31-06 to five years probation and ordered to make restitution of $7,015.23.
Jonal Felder sentenced in Buchanan County on 12-18-06 to three years probation and ordered to make restitution of $4,596.00.
Timothy L. Hummer sentenced in Clay County on 10-05-06 to one year probation. Full restitution of $6,038.00 has been made.
Ron Hager sentenced in Audrain County on 2-17-06 to five years probation and ordered to make restitution of $4,491.00.
Diane Gentile sentenced in Franklin County on 11-20-06 to three years probation and ordered to make restitution of $5,517.00.
Pedro Ramirez sentenced in Greene County on 5-26-06 to five years probation and ordered to make restitution of $5,729.26.
John Littlejohn sentenced in Jackson County on 11-14-06 to two years probation and ordered to make restitution of $6,500.00.
Ladonna M. Brown sentenced in Jackson County on 9-07-06 to five years probation and ordered to make restitution of $5,476.00.
Brenda Allen sentenced in Jackson County on 8-17-06 to one year probation.
Letice Styles sentenced in Jackson County on 8-17-06 to one year probation. Full restitution of $5,378.19 has been made.
Timothy White sentenced in Jackson County on 5-02-06 to five years probation and ordered to make restitution of $6,250.00.
Michael Hayes sentenced in Jackson County on 5-30-06 to three years probation.
Mark Grimes sentenced in Jackson County on 9-26-06 to five years probation and ordered to make restitution of $1,145.31.
Danny Littlejohn sentenced in Jackson County on 11-16-06 to five years probation and ordered to make restitution of $6,472.00.
Terry Yancy sentenced in Jackson County on 12-07-06 to one year probation. Full restitution of $4,849.00 has been made.
Restitution is paid to the Missouri Division of Employment Security and is returned to the Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund.
In addition, thirteen individuals were charged with unemployment insurance fraud.
The following individuals were charged with stealing the following amounts in St. Louis City:
Jason L. McCollum $6,120.00
James L. Watson $5,053.00
Sylvia Slaughter $6,032.00
Gregory Rosemon $4,117.63
Marie D. Brown $4,411.00
The following individuals were charged with stealing the following amounts in Jackson County:
Kimberlee K. Cooley-Finch $4,111.00
Patrick H. Webb $4,541.00
Lucinda A. Guest $6,500.00
Catriese M. Johnson $4,422.00
Mikka R. Serrant $4,022.00
David L. Jones $4,725.00
Tonya R. Wash $4,000.00
Carleen M. Mayberry $5,144.00
Fraudulent unemployment insurance benefit claims are those collected by individuals who do not qualify for benefits. The Division of Employment Security aggressively pursues criminal prosecution of individuals who file fraudulent UI claims. Such claims raise employer taxes and reduce the fund that is used for paying benefits. 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 sufficient qualifying wages to be entitled to any unemployment insurance benefits.
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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