A federal criminal complaint has been filed against Christopher Dominic Niebel, 43, of Allen Park, Michigan, alleging he obtained unemployment benefits authorized by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act by means of false and fraudulent pretenses and representations.
Niebel, who held himself out as a tax preparer under the name “Tax Guy Chris” with an office in Allen Park, is accused of using the personally identifiable information of others that he had unlawfully obtained to create over 100 fraudulent unemployment insurance accounts.
According to the complaint affidavit, Niebel was the accountholder on at least 28 of the bank accounts to which the unemployment benefits were electronically transferred, resulting in a total of approximately $849,000.00 being paid out by the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) from March through August 2020.
The complaint affidavit also states that Niebel was responsible for or associated with over 100 fraudulent unemployment insurance accounts, which included regular unemployment benefits but were mostly pandemic-related unemployment benefits provided through the CARES Act.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephen Hiyama. The investigation is being conducted jointly by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, IRS-Criminal Investigation, the U.S. Secret Service, and the Michigan UIA.
A complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Trial cannot be held on felony charges in a complaint. When the investigation is completed, a determination will be made whether to seek a felony indictment.
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Key Facts
- State: Michigan
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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