A Roseville woman has pleaded guilty to stealing nearly $200,000 in unemployment benefits from California’s unemployment system. Andrea M. Gervais, 44, was charged with theft of government money in a scheme involving 97 fraudulent Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) claims.
According to court documents, at least 10 of the 97 fraudulent PUA claims were processed for payment, and nearly $200,000 in unemployment insurance and PUA benefits were paid out to Gervais’s Roseville address in the form of Bank of America debit cards. The potential value of all fraudulent 97 claims associated with the scheme exceeded $2 million.
The investigation began when federal agents discovered that someone had filed a PUA claim using the identity of a sitting U.S. senator for approximately $21,000. This fraudulent claim was processed for payment, and Gervais received an EDD debit card in the senator’s name. Agents further discovered that Bank of America ATM cameras captured Gervais on multiple occasions withdrawing cash from at least seven of the EDD debit cards, and at least one captured transaction showed Gervais using the debit card issued to the senator.
Gervais faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. She remains on pretrial release as she awaits sentencing, which is scheduled for August 9.
“Gervais defrauded California’s unemployment system by fraudulently collecting nearly $200,000 in Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. Her conduct further exacerbated the distribution of unemployment benefits at a time when so many Americans are in desperate need of this assistance,” said Quentin Heiden, Special Agent-in-Charge, Los Angeles Region, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General.
The investigation was a collaborative effort between the U.S. Department of Labor – Office of the Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the California Employment Development Department – Investigation Division. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Artuz is prosecuting the case.
Related Federal Cases
- Frank Hamilton Sentenced to 5.5 Years for SBA Scam, California, 2023 · Texas
- Amy Evangelista, Tax Fraud, California 2023 · Alaska
- Two Foreign Nationals, ID Theft Scheme, Los Angeles CA, 2023 · Illinois
- Federal Regulators, Lifel, Securities Fraud, California 2020 · New York
- Illuminate Education, Inc. Data Breach, California 2023 · New York
Key Facts
- State: California
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
