Euclid duo charged for $44K pandemic unemployment fraud

CLEVELAND — A sinister duo from Euclid, Ohio, Robert Nathaniel Andre Thomas III, 24, and Montareo Banks, 24, are staring down a federal indictment for their alleged scheme to swipe $44,000 in pandemic unemployment insurance benefits.

According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), a federal grand jury has returned a thirteen-count charge sheet against the pair. They’re accused of conspiring to commit mail fraud and wire fraud, with a tally of five counts each for mail and wire fraud, and a separate charge for aggravated identity theft.

The grim allegations paint a picture of deceit from May through November 2020, when Thomas, Banks, and their alleged confederates are said to have manipulated pandemic unemployment insurance applications. They’re accused of falsifying details on residency, employment history, and more, aiming to hoodwink State Workforce Agencies in Ohio, Arizona, California, and New Jersey.

The court documents claim the fraudulently obtained funds, approximately $40,000, were pocketed by the defendants and their co-conspirators. As a stark reminder of the gravity of the charges, these benefits were meant for those who genuinely needed them during the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis.

It’s crucial to note that an indictment is not proof of guilt; a defendant retains the right to a fair trial where the government must prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. Sentencing, if convicted, will be tailored by the court based on the specifics of this case and any prior criminal records the defendants may have.

This sordid tale has been pieced together by the Cleveland FBI and the Department of Labor, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryson N. Gillard leading the prosecution.

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