Three Pittsburgh residents have been arrested and charged with conspiring to steal over $880,000 in Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) funds. Linda Slade, 51, Dr. Rochelle Oaks, 66, and Keith Brown, 53, allegedly provided false information on PUA applications and submitted claims on behalf of at least 90 people.
According to Attorney General Josh Shapiro, the defendants took advantage of a program meant to help people affected by COVID-19, and instead used it to commit fraud and steal hundreds of thousands of dollars. Shapiro stated that his office is working to track down individuals who commit fraud and undermine the public by breaking the law.
Slade, Oaks, and Brown were each charged with operating a scheme to apply for PUA funding on behalf of at least 90 people. Slade and Oaks submitted applications for interested participants, while Brown collected fees from the participants to pay Oaks. The investigation found that Slade prepared 61 applications, totaling $925,273 in PUA funds, while Oaks prepared 31 applications, totaling $249,227 in PUA funds.
Out of the 92 total applications, investigators determined that 65 of the stated recipients were ineligible to receive benefits, with a total amount of $884,715 in benefits paid out. Oaks told investigators that she met with Brown approximately 12 times to collect payment for submitting the applications, with Brown handing her cash collected from applicants.
The Office of Attorney General has charged 31 individuals, including 24 inmates and their accomplices, across the Commonwealth for submitting fraudulent PUA applications amounting to more than $3.1 million in illegally obtained PUA funds. Individuals found to be involved in organized efforts to obtain emergency unemployment benefits illegally can face significant prison time and financial penalties.
Linda Slade, Dr. Rochelle Oaks, and Keith Brown are each charged with two counts of Corrupt Organizations, one count of Theft by Deception, one count of Theft by Unlawful Taking, one count of Criminal Conspiracy, and one count of Tampering with Records. The case is being prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Katherine Wymard. All charges discussed are accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The Pennsylvania AG’s office urges anyone with information about fraudulent activities to come forward and report it to the authorities. The office is committed to holding individuals accountable for their actions and ensuring that those who commit fraud are brought to justice. For more information, contact the Press Office at 717-787-5211 or email press@attorneygeneral.gov.
Related Federal Cases
- Arts & Crafts Fraud: Medicare Hit for $200K · Pennsylvania
- Finger-Painting Fraud: $200K Medicare Rip · Pennsylvania
- Art Fraud: $200K Medicare Scam · Pennsylvania
- Artful Dodge: Medicare Fraud Case Closed · Pennsylvania
- Edinburg Woman Pleads Guilty in $4M Mortgage Fraud Plot · Pennsylvania
Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: Pennsylvania AG
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News