Kyn K. Naope, 41, of Sherman Oaks, has pleaded guilty to mail fraud for his role in a scheme that defrauded the State of California of $2.5 million in unemployment benefits.
According to court documents, Naope and others involved in the scheme registered fictitious employers with the California Employment Development Department (EDD) and then recruited individuals to pose as laid-off employees of those companies.
The fake employees would then file for and collect unemployment insurance benefits based on the wages reported to EDD by the fictitious employers. This scheme was carried out via the U.S. mail.
Naope is the seventh individual to be convicted for participating in this fraud scheme, which was charged across three separate cases.
Andre Walters of Long Beach was convicted following a jury trial in August 2016 and is scheduled to be sentenced on May 4, 2017. Kenneth Kim Parks of Pomona and Long Beach was sentenced to five years in prison. Donye Marcell Mitchell Sr., of Los Angeles, was sentenced to four years in prison.
Gregory Bart Martin of Lakewood was sentenced to 18 months of probation. Michael Ray Taylor Sr., of Fontana, was sentenced to three years in prison, and Michael Ray Taylor Jr., of El Monte, is scheduled to be sentenced on May 11, 2017.
Naope is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Garland E. Burrell Jr. on June 16, 2017. He faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Related Federal Cases
- Jeffrey Silhanek, Mail Fraud, California 2023 · North Carolina
- Maui Jim Employee, Mail and Wire Fraud, Scottsdale AZ, 2023 · Alaska
- Jeffrey Harrington, Wire Fraud Conspiracy, California 2024 · Virginia
- Edwin Forrest Ludwig III, Tax Fraud Scheme, California 2024 · Washington
- Marc Christopher Harmon, Investment Fraud Scheme, California 2024 · Georgia
Key Facts
- State: California
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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