Nine Charged in Unemployment Fraud Sweep

State Department of Labor calculates loss to nine Nassau County residents as more than $70,000

MINEOLA, NY – Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice announced today that nine Nassau County residents have been charged with defrauding the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) of more than $70,000 in unemployment insurance benefits through various schemes.

These arrests are a direct result of a new Labor Department program that emphasizes improved detection of fraud, more proactive investigations and better coordination with local law enforcement and prosecution agencies.

“Unemployment benefits are reserved for those members of our society who want to work, and are trying to work,” Rice said. “These nine individuals, however, have chosen to abuse the system and work to defraud honest taxpayers. These arrests are indicative of what can be accomplished when agencies work together for the common good. This should serve as a warning to anyone who intends to defraud the taxpayers that their day in court is coming.”

The State Labor Department administers unemployment insurance benefits for the federal government.The weekly payments assist eligible workers who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own.To qualify for UI, people must be unemployed, ready, willing and able to work and searching for a new job.

The nine individuals charged are:

JOSEPH ARAUJO, 47, of East Rockaway, has been charged with Grand Larceny in the Third Degree and Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree. Araujo allegedly represented to the NYSDOL that he was unemployed when in fact he was working at Harley Davidson of Hempstead and Miracle Mile Harley. He fraudulently received $9,515 in unemployment insurance benefits. Araujo is being represented by Robert Brunetti, Esq. and is due back in court July 25.  He faces up to seven years in prison if convicted.

EDWARD HARVEY, 46, of Uniondale, has been charged with Grand Larceny in the Third Degree and Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree. Harvey allegedly represented to the NYSDOL that he was unemployed when in fact he was working at Koeppel Nissan. He fraudulently received $6,075 in unemployment benefits. Harvey is being represented by Joseph Lee, Esq. and is due back in court August 20.  He faces up to seven years in prison if convicted.

MARK LEVINE, 55 of North Carolina, has been charged with Grand Larceny in the Third Degree and Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree. Levine allegedly represented to the NYSDOL that he was unemployed when in fact he was working at Farmingdale Theatres and Hsin Ten Enterprises Inc. He fraudulently received $10,438.75 in unemployment benefits. Levine is being represented by the Legal Aid Society of Nassau County and is due back in court August 8.  He faces up to seven years in prison if convicted.

TITUS HINTON, 51, of Elmont, has been charged with Grand Larceny in the Third Degree and Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree. Hinton allegedly represented to the NYSDOL that he was unemployed when in fact he was working at Enherent Corp. He fraudulently received $6,075 in unemployment benefits. Hinton is being represented by Martha Leventhal, Esq. and is due back in court July 7.  He faces up to seven years in prison if convicted.

ANTOINE JONES, 37, of Uniondale, has been charged with Grand Larceny in the Third Degree and Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree. Jones allegedly represented to the NYSDOL that his father, Andrew Jones, was unemployed when he was working at Kellenberg Memorial H.S. Antoine Jones fraudulently received $7,391.95 in unemployment benefits. Jones is being represented by Lloyd Nadel, Esq. and is due back in court June 20.  He faces up to seven years in prison if convicted.

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LORRAINE OTIENO, 29, of Rockville Centre, has been charged with Grand Larceny in the Third Degree and Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree. Otieno allegedly represented to the NYSDOL that she was unemployed when in fact she was working at Realty Data Corp. Ottieno fraudulently received $6,696 in unemployment benefits. Otieno is due back in court August 29.  He faces up to seven years in prison if convicted.

KENNETH KAKAREKA, 42, of Oceanside, has been charged with Grand Larceny in the Third Degree and Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the Third Degree. Kakareka allegedly represented to the NYSDOL that he was unemployed when in fact he was working at All Season Siding. Kakareka fraudulently received $6.176.25 in unemployment benefits. Kakareka is being represented by Robert Zuflacht, Esq. and is due back in court July 21.  He faces up to seven years in prison if convicted.

FRITZNEL HONORE, 41, of Hempstead, has been charged with Grand Larceny in the Third Degree and Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree. Honore allegedly represented to the NYSDOL that he was unemployed when in fact he was working at Mercy Home for Children. Honore fraudulently received $10,833.75. Honore is being represented by Marybeth Molloy, Esq. and is due back in court July 10.  He faces up to seven years in prison if convicted.

ROCCO SALVATORE, 48, of Franklin Square, has been charged with Grand Larceny in the Third Degree and Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree. Salvatore allegedly represented to the NYSDOL that he was unemployed when in fact he was working at the Garden City Hotel. Salvatore fraudulently received $9,720. Salvatore is being represented by the Legal Aid Society of Nassau County and is due back in court July 10.  He faces up to seven years in prison if convicted.

The charges against these defendants are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.