GRIMY TIMES EXCLUSIVE
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – In a shocking turn of events, a North Carolina podiatrist and his son are facing federal charges in connection with an unemployment insurance benefits scheme.
Dr. Jerry Gross, 72, and his son Jason Lee Gross, 51, both of Rutherfordton, N.C., are being accused of wire fraud in a scheme that allegedly enabled the Foot & Ankle Center of the Carolinas, P.A. to survive the economic downturn during the years 2009-2013.
According to court records, the scheme enabled the Foot & Ankle Center to create a free labor force by placing employees on unemployment insurance benefits while they continued to work in excess of what was permitted by the program eligibility requirements.
The scheme allegedly caused the State of North Carolina to pay out at least $149,970 in UI Benefits to laid-off Foot & Ankle center employees that did not meet the eligibility requirements.
Dr. Jerry Gross and his son Jason Lee Gross are being accused of carrying out the scheme from September 2009 to March 2013, during which time they laid off employees, including themselves and Dr. Jerry Gross, and then made UI Benefits claims on their behalf.
The maximum penalty for the wire fraud charge is 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Bradley of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville.
The investigation was led by HSI, SBI, and the Department of Labor-Office of the Inspector General. U.S. Attorney R. Andrew Murray thanked the agencies for their hard work in bringing the case to light.
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- Butler Holt Massey, COVID-19 Relief Fraud, North Carolina 2023 · Texas
- Dennis S. Lepka, Real Estate Fraud, North Carolina 2024 · Washington
- Todd Allen Fulcher, Bankruptcy Fraud, North Carolina 2024 · North Carolina
Key Facts
- State: North Carolina
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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