⏱ 2 min read
A former U.S. Department of Labor employee, Mo Yuong Kang, scammed over $40,000 in pandemic unemployment assistance benefits in Massachusetts. Kang, 51, from Woburn and Dracut, worked as an Industrial Hygienist with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration from 2016 to 2023. In 2020 and 2021, while earning over $85,000 annually, Kang submitted a false application to the Division of Unemployment Assistance, claiming he was self-employed and severely limited by COVID-19. He received $45,868 in benefits to which he was not entitled.
Kang pleaded guilty to four counts of wire fraud in May 2026, after being indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2025. He was sentenced to one year of probation and ordered to pay $45,868 in restitution and forfeiture. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristina E. Barclay of the Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Northeast Field Office. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Leah B. Foley, Anthony P. D’Esposito, Inspector General, and Christopher Silvestro, Special Agent in Charge.
The sentence reflects the severity of Kang’s crimes, which involved exploiting a system meant to support those affected by the pandemic. The case highlights the importance of accountability and the need for individuals to act with integrity, especially those in positions of trust.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Defendant: Massachusetts
- Location: MA
- Source: DOJ Press Release
