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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Tammy Cavender (573)
751-7500
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 19, 2006
Nine Convicted of Unemployment Insurance Fraud; $37,000 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 nine criminal convictions for unemployment insurance fraud and charges were filed against six more individuals. These convictions resulted in court ordered restitution of $37,767.50.
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:
- LaShawn Allen was sentenced on April 27, 2006 in Jackson County to one year probation and ordered restitution of $3,853.76.
- Kenneth Baskett was sentenced on May 15, 2006 in Lafayette County to five years probation and ordered restitution of $5,297.
- Marilyn Brown was sentenced on June 22, 2006 in St. Louis County to five years probation and ordered restitution of $4,500.
- Samuel Brown was sentenced on June 16, 2006 in St. Louis County to five years probation and ordered restitution of $5,692.
- Kevin Hayes was sentenced on May 30, 2006 in St. Louis County to two years probation. Full restitution has been made.
- Larry James was sentenced on June 1, 2006 in St. Louis County to five years probation and ordered restitution of $5,649.
- Curtis Lomnick was sentenced on June 5, 2006 in St. Louis County to five years probation and ordered restitution of $5,387.
- William Pullum, Jr. was sentenced on May 9, 2006 in St. Louis City to three years probation and ordered restitution of $5,454.
- Sandria Sigh was sentenced on May 1, 2006 in St. Louis City to three years probation and restitution of $1,934.74.
Restitution is paid to the Missouri Division of Employment Security and is returned to the Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund.
In addition, six individuals were charged for unemployment insurance fraud.
The following individual was charged with stealing the following amount in Jefferson County:
- Jimmie D. Vanhorn, $4,139
The following individuals in St. Louis City were charged with stealing the following amounts:
- Cedric C. Hawkins, $5,252.75
- Dwayne E. Hutch, $4,398
- Charisa K. Petty, $6,138
- Luther Stewart, Jr., $5,618.71
- Cottrell T. Ward, $4,500
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 June, the Division collected $173,783 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)
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