Jessica Anne Miller, Workforce Development Program Embezzlement, North Carolina 2019
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – In a shocking case of corruption, Jessica Anne Miller, 38, of Hickory, N.C., pleaded guilty to federal charges today for stealing more than $68,000 from a federally funded workforce development program.
According to filed plea documents and today’s court hearing, from July 2016 to November 2019, Miller was employed as a career coach by an entity contracted by a nonprofit association of local governments to provide training to job seekers, using federal funds made available by the U.S. Department of Labor under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).
Miller, who was responsible for providing career guidance, case management, and follow-up to participants in the youth program, engaged in a scheme to divert more than $68,000 of government funds for her own benefit. She created bogus documents, falsified signatures, and made false and misleading statements to qualified individuals who were supposed to be the recipients of the WIOA funds.
According to court records, Miller created fraudulent documents for mileage reimbursement on behalf of students enrolled in the program, and then cashed the checks and kept the proceeds for herself. She also created fraudulent documents that falsely indicated student-victims had received vaccines and were seeking reimbursements for the costs associated with those vaccines, when in truth and fact the student-victims had not received the vaccines.
Miller pleaded guilty to wire fraud scheme, which carries a maximum prison term of 20 years. The case was announced by William T. Stetzer, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, and Rafiq Ahmad, Special Agent-in-Charge, Atlanta Region, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General.
The case highlights the need for stricter oversight and accountability in federally funded programs. It also serves as a warning to individuals who would seek to exploit these programs for personal gain.
Jessica Anne Miller, Career Coach Pleads Guilty to Stealing More Than $68,000 from Workforce Development Program, is a stark reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in public programs.
Key Facts
- State: North Carolina
- Category: White Collar Crime|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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