Christopher Ferrera, Unemployment Insurance Fraud, New York 2020
Unemployment Insurance Scam Exposed: New York Couple Handed $200,000 in Stolen Benefits
In a shocking case of financial crime, a New York couple has been charged with operating a scheme to fraudulently file for unemployment insurance under the names of other people. CHRISTOPHER FERRERA and ASHLEY BOURDIER have been accused of stealing over $200,000 in unemployment benefits from at least three different states.
The scheme, which ran from March 2020 through August 2020, saw the couple using the names and social security numbers of more than 25 other people to file for benefits. As a result of their scheme, FERRERA and BOURDIER received over $200,000 of unemployment insurance benefits.
The charges against the couple include conspiring to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. FERRERA is also charged with aggravated identity theft, which carries a mandatory two-year consecutive sentence.
The case against FERRERA and BOURDIER is being handled by the Office of the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York. The Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Labor, the U.S. Secret Service, and the New York Department of Labor have all been credited with helping to bring the charges.
The couple was arrested this morning and will be presented and arraigned later today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Katharine H. Parker.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance in protecting against financial crime. As Commissioner of the New York Department of Labor, Roberta Reardon noted, "Unemployment Insurance fraud is something that we fight every day. However, for these criminals to use a pandemic for their personal gain while millions of New Yorkers legitimately need this assistance is even more despicable."
Ms. Strauss praised the work of DOL-OIG, the Secret Service, and the New York Department of Labor in bringing the charges against FERRERA and BOURDIER.
Defendant Information:
- CHRISTOPHER FERRERA, Bronx, NY
- ASHLEY BOURDIER, New York, NY
Criminal Charges:
- Conspiring to commit wire fraud
- Aggravated identity theft
Date of Arrest:
- Not specified in the source
Sentence or Outcome:
- Not specified in the source
Dollar Amount:
- $200,000
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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