07-25-2007

MINEOLA – Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice announced this morning that her office has filed charges against five individuals accused of fraudulently obtaining unemployment benefits from the New York State Department of Labor. Each of the five defendants has been charged with Grand Larceny in the Third Degree and Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, both felony offenses.

The defendants were arrested this morning by District Attorney investigators and will be arraigned later today in First District Court, Hempstead. Each defendant faces a maximum of seven years in prison if convicted of the larceny and four years in prison if convicted of filing a false instrument.

“The vast majority of us pay our taxes, live by the rules, and expect that everyone will be honest when it comes to utilizing important government services,” said Rice. “It only takes a few people to erode that trust. My office will continue to work to eradicate fraud from these crucial programs that benefit hard-working families during tough times.”

The District Attorney’s investigations are the result of referrals from the New York State Department of Labor, whom Rice praised for their dedication and cooperation.

Kevin Hinton, 48, of Freeport, applied for and legitimately began receiving Unemployment Insurance Benefits on September 16, 2003. However, an investigation uncovered that Mr. Hinton had obtained a new job, working for The Village of Freeport, in December of 2002. From that moment until April 4, 2004, Mr. Hinton concealed his employment from the Department of Labor and continued to collect benefits. He is alleged to have fraudulently obtained $20,250.00 in unemployment benefits to which he was not entitled.

Theresa Parker, 59, of Westbury, applied for and legitimately began receiving Unemployment Insurance Benefits on May 19, 2003. The defendant obtained a new job as a Social Welfare Examiner with the Nassau County Department of Social Services on August 3, 2003. Ms. Parker concealed this employment from the Department of Labor and continued to collect benefits until March 7, 2004. During that time period, Ms. Parker is alleged to have fraudulently obtained $8,865.00 in unemployment benefits to which she was not entitled.

Anthony Tellier, 43, of Valley Stream, applied for and legitimately began receiving Unemployment Insurance Benefits on December 29, 2003. He obtained a new job as an operator with Trade Winds Environmental Restoration Inc. on January 15, 2004 and was employed until June 27, 2004. Mr. Tellier concealed this employment from the Department of Labor and continued to collect benefits. During this time period, Mr. Tellier has alleged to have fraudulently obtained $6,816.00 in unemployment benefits to which he was not entitled.

Geneva Whittaker, 61, of Hempstead, applied for and legitimately began receiving Unemployment Insurance Benefits on June 2, 2003. The defendant began working at the Long Island Marriott on July 27, 2003 until February 15, 2004. Whittaker concealed this employment from the Department of Labor and continued to collect benefits. During that time period, Ms. Whittaker is alleged to have fraudulently obtained $6,356.00 in unemployment benefits to which she was not entitled.

Courtney Clarke, 41, of Westbury, applied for and legitimately began receiving Unemployment Insurance Benefits on June 2, 2003. He obtained new employment at Adecco Employment September 15, 2003 through March 7, 2004. The defendant concealed this employment from the Department of Labor and continued to collect benefits. During that time period, Mr. Clarke is alleged to have fraudulently obtained $6,075.00 in unemployment benefits to which he was not entitled.

Recipients of unemployment compensation benefits must, each week, telephone into an automated system and attest to the prior week’s unemployment.

In addition, those receiving unemployment compensation benefits must attest to a clause printed on the back of each check. The clause reads:

“I certify that on each day during the periods shown on the front of this check I did not work in employment or self-employment and I was ready, willing and able to work except as reported to the local office. I informed the local office of all job offers, any refusal of job offers and any of vacation, holiday, pension, retirement, or workers’ compensation award due or received. I did not claim benefits for any part of the period(s) under another State of Federal Unemployment Insurance Law.”

Each of the above defendants was charged with one count of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree in connection with their attestation of the above clause.

Assistant District Attorney Megan A. Gallagher, of the District Attorney’s Government & Consumer Frauds Bureau, is handling the cases for the District Attorney’s Office.

The charges described above are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

DA Charges Five in Unemployment Comp Fraud

Rice: Dept. of Labor referrals lead to arrests, more than $45k tax dollars obtained fraudulently