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MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Tammy Cavender (573)
751-7500
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 21, 2005
Three Convicted of Unemployment Insurance Fraud; Six Indicted
Missouri Department of Labor Aggressively Pursues Fraud Cases
Jefferson City – The Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations today announced unemployment insurance fraud referrals since January 2005 have resulted in restitution of $23,910.12. In addition, six individuals were indicted for fraud.
The cases were investigated by the Department’s Division of Employment Security and were referred to the county’s Prosecuting Attorney or Circuit Attorney. Among the cases successfully prosecuted to date in 2005 were:
- Deandries Curtis pled guilty on May 12, 2005 in St. Louis City to stealing by deceit over $500.00. The court sentenced him to five years probation and ordered him to pay restitution to the Division of Employment Security in the amount of $10,559.12.
- John G. Cox pled guilty on August 15, 2005 in Boone County to stealing by deceit over $750.00. The court sentenced him to five years probation and ordered him to pay restitution to the Division of Employment Security in the amount of $5,688.00.
- Anthony K. Rone pled guilty on August 23, 2005 in Butler County to stealing by deceit over $500.00. The court sentenced him to five years probation and ordered him to pay restitution to the Division of Employment Security in the amount of $7,663.00.
In addition, six individuals were recently indicted for unemployment insurance fraud.
- Jeannie Elsie was indicted by a grand jury on August 16, 2005 in Adair County and was charged with stealing $6,315.00.
- The following individuals were indicted by a grand jury on September 9, 2005 in St. Louis City and was charged with stealing the following amounts:
- Terrie L. Davis, $5,702.00
- Darryl Lillard, $7,131.83
- Yvatt Salmond, $9,430.67
- Antwon Tilson, $6,250.00
- Kathleen Woolridge $5,988.00
The Division of Employment Security actively pursues criminal prosecution of individuals who file fraudulent claims. Such claims raise employer tax rates 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.
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 · 3315 W. Truman
Blvd.
· P.O. Box 1958 · Jefferson City, MO
65102-1958
573-751-7500 · 573-751-6552 (Fax)
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