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MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Tammy Cavender (573)
751-7500
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 15, 2006
Eight Convicted of Unemployment Insurance Fraud; $34,000 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 eight criminal convictions for unemployment insurance fraud and charges were filed against five more individuals. These convictions resulted in court ordered restitution of $34,941.16.
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:
- Betty Benge was sentenced on April 18, 2006 in Buchanan County to five years probation and ordered restitution of $5,540.
- Ricky Cardwell was sentenced on March 24, 2006 in St. Louis County to five years probation and ordered restitution of $6,012.49.
- Thomas Carter was sentenced on April 27, 2006 in St. Louis City to three years probation and ordered restitution of $3,254.79.
- Jeannie Elsea was sentenced on April 7, 2006 in Adair County to five years probation and ordered restitution of $5,038.
- Maurice Weakley was sentenced on April 3, 2006 in St. Louis County to five years probation and ordered restitution of $5,302.05.
- Ardester Williams was sentenced on March 30, 2006 in St. Louis County to five years probation and ordered restitution of $3,693.
- Michelle Willis was sentenced on September 26, 2005 in St. Louis City to two years probation and ordered restitution of $3,485.
- Jerry Wise was sentenced on January 12, 2006 in St. Louis City to three years probation and ordered restitution of $2,615.83.
Restitution is paid to the Missouri Division of Employment Security and is returned to the Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund.
In addition, five individuals were charged for unemployment insurance fraud.
The following individuals in St. Louis City were charged with stealing the following amounts:
- Barbara Barton, $6,809.84
- Felecia Brady, $6,859
- Lois M. Jones, $7,607
- Alma Love, $4,707
- Eric K. Ward, $9,375
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 April, the Division collected $154,284.50 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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Information and Planning · 421 East Dunklin
· P.O. Box 504 · Jefferson City, MO
65102-0504
573-751-7500 · 573-751-6552 (Fax)
Relay Missouri: 1-800-735-2966 (TDD) 1-800-735-2466 (Voice)