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MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Tammy Cavender (573)
751-7500
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 24, 2006
Blunt Commends Department of Labor for Recovering $788,000 in Restitution
Jefferson City – Gov. Blunt today commended the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations for its efforts in investigating and recovering restitution for unemployment insurance fraud. The Department’s referrals resulted in nine criminal convictions for unemployment insurance fraud and charges were filed against eight more individuals. These convictions resulted in court ordered restitution of over $45,000. These additional cases raise the total number of convictions to 131 and the total amount of restitution to $788,721.00 in 2005.
“Fraudulent claims can raise taxes paid by employers and reduce the amount of funds available to pay benefits to qualified unemployed workers,” Blunt said. “Being more vigilant in the number of prosecutions is evidence of our commitment to use taxpayers money responsibly and will help continue the gains we have experienced in job growth over the last year.”
These individuals 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 were:
- Lucy Barner was sentenced in St. Louis City to five years probation and ordered restitution of $4,936.
- Evangeline Biggs was sentenced in St. Charles County to five years probation and ordered restitution of $6,457.
- Adrian Cleveland was sentenced in St. Louis City to three years probation and ordered restitution of $4,733.
- Gordie B. Cole was sentenced in Platte County to five years probation and ordered restitution of $5,362.
- Russell Hunt was sentenced in Clay County to two years probation and ordered restitution of $5,478.
- Sherry L. Moore was sentenced in St. Louis City to four years probation and ordered restitution of $4,800.
- Matthew Nave, Jr. was sentenced in Jackson County to two years probation and ordered restitution of $4,987.
- Valerie Neal was sentenced in St. Louis City to three years probation and ordered restitution of $3,450.
- Sonya Robinson was sentenced in St. Louis City to five years probation and ordered restitution of $5,472.
Restitution is paid to the Missouri Division of Employment Security and is returned to the Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund.
In addition, eight individuals were charged for unemployment insurance fraud.
- The following individuals in Jackson County were charged with stealing the following amounts:
- Regina Baker, $5,250
- Demetreia Conway, $5,639
- Brandy Hawkins, $5,376
- Michael Hayes, $5,704
- Patricia Kirkwood, $13,556
- Laura Reddick, $4,996
- The following individual in Boone County was charged with stealing the following amount:
- Simone Davis, $5,639
- The following individual in Benton County was charged with stealing the following amount:
- Michael White, $4,250
The Division of Employment Security actively investigates fraud and tracks criminal prosecution of individuals who file fraudulent claims. "Unemployment benefits are a vital benefit for those who qualify," said Katharine Barondeau, acting director for the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. "People who exploit these benefits out of greed or deception are stealing from hardworking citizens who have true and legitimate needs."
Fraudulent unemployment insurance benefits are those collected by individuals who do not quality for them and who obtained them through fraud. 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 · 421 East Dunklin
· P.O. Box 504 · Jefferson City, MO
65102-0504
573-751-7500 · 573-751-6552 (Fax)
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