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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Tammy Cavender (573)
751-7500
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 20, 2006
Seven Convicted of Unemployment Insurance Fraud; $35,000 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 seven criminal convictions for unemployment insurance fraud and charges were filed against 11 more individuals. These convictions resulted in court ordered restitution of $35,105.
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:
- Tina Barnett was sentenced on April 28, 2006 in St. Louis County to two years probation and ordered restitution of $4,042.
- Stanley E. Brim was sentenced on May 9, 2006 in Cass County to five years probation and ordered restitution of $5,777.
- Louis Butler was sentenced on April 20, 2006 in St. Louis City to two years probation and ordered restitution of $4,527.64.
- Timmy E. Clark was sentenced on May 5, 2006 in St. Louis County to five years probation and ordered restitution of $7,124.
- Mongo Dennis was sentenced on May 4, 2006 in St. Louis County to five years probation and ordered restitution of $5,642.
- Robert Heard was sentenced on April 21, 2006 in St. Louis City to three years probation and ordered restitution of $3,366.67.
- Forestine Pruitt was sentenced on April 20, 2006 in St. Louis County to five years probation and ordered restitution of $4,625.24.
Restitution is paid to the Missouri Division of Employment Security and is returned to the Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund.
In addition, 11 individuals were charged for unemployment insurance fraud.
The following individuals in St. Louis City were charged with stealing the following amounts:
- Damon T. Clark, $6,430
- Keisha Holliday, $5,216
- Cynthia A. Johnson, $5,000
- Yolanda A. Montgomery, $5,695
- Denise M. Stanbury, $5,917
The following individuals in Jackson County were charged with stealing the following amounts:
- Norman L. Ferguson, $4,327
- Cherisse Y. Summers, $4,248
- Jaquita N. Tolbert, $4,055.47
- Shawn P. Vance, $5,391
- Emma J. Wiley, $5,565
The following individual in Franklin County was charged with stealing the following amounts:
- William P. Schlueter, $4,427.13
The Division of Employment Security actively pursues 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 qualify. 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.
In a related matter, 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 May, the Division collected $163,095 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
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