Las Vegas Woman Sentenced for Unemployment Benefits Scheme
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – In a shocking display of deceit, Las Vegas resident Deandra Michelle Smith, 36, has been sentenced to 12 months and a day in federal prison for fraudulently applying for and receiving nearly $23,000 in unemployment benefits debit cards.
According to court documents, Smith used another person’s personal identification information without their consent and fraudulently applied for unemployment insurance benefits with the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR). In February 2017, Smith falsely claimed that the victim had been laid off, when in fact the victim was employed. Smith also listed her own address on the benefits application, so she would receive the benefits debit card issued by DETR.
In carrying out her fraudulent scheme, Smith used the same victim’s personal information to renew the unemployment claim several times. Between March 2017 and August 2018, Smith used the DETR-issued unemployment benefits debit cards in multiple states, including Nevada, California, Texas, and Hawaii. In total, Smith fraudulently received $22,490 from DETR.
Smith pleaded guilty in November 2020 to one count of mail fraud. In addition to the term of imprisonment, U.S. District Judge Andrew P. Gordon sentenced Smith to three years of supervised release.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG). Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Fang prosecuted the case.
If you suspect someone of attempting to commit unemployment benefits fraud, report it to the authorities. Remember, we are all in this together and together we can build a safer, more honest community.
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Key Facts
- State: Nevada
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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