Larry Neal Wells, COVID-19 Unemployment Benefits Fraud, Missouri 2021

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Man Sentenced for COVID-19 Unemployment Benefits Fraud

A Center Point man has been sentenced to five months in federal prison for COVID-19 unemployment benefits fraud. According to court records, 63-year-old Larry Neal Wells received almost $17,000 in fraudulently obtained CARES Act unemployment funds.

Wells, who pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud on April 5, 2021, was sentenced to 5 months in prison and ordered to make $7,728 in restitution to the New York State Department of Labor and $9,250 in restitution to the Maine Department of Labor.

Wells was also ordered to serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term. He is set to surrender to the United States Marshal on October 4, 2021. Wells was released on the bond previously set.

The prosecution is an example of the government’s strong commitment to combating fraud and criminal activity related to COVID-19. Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kyndra Lundquist and investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Department of Labor Office of Inspector General. Court file information can be found at: https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is 20-CR-113.

The case highlights the importance of protecting the integrity of government programs during times of crisis. It also demonstrates the government’s commitment to holding accountable those who seek to exploit such programs for personal gain.

As the country continues to navigate the aftermath of the pandemic, this case serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance and cooperation in preventing and investigating COVID-19-related crimes.