A Saratoga Springs man was sentenced to a year of probation for misusing a social security number to obtain unemployment insurance benefits.
Markhwan Berning, age 37, of Saratoga Springs, New York, was sentenced today to a year of probation for misusing a social security number as part of a plea deal.
According to court documents, Berning obtained unemployment insurance benefits, including federal pandemic-related benefits, by falsely presenting to the New York State Department of Labor a fake social security number as his own between May and July 2020.
Berning admitted to the crime as part of his previously entered guilty plea and was ordered by Senior United States District Judge Lawrence A. Kahn to pay a $2,000 fine and $16,383 in restitution to New York State.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General (USDOL-OIG), with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New York State Department of Labor, Office of Special Investigations, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua R. Rosenthal.
Berning’s sentence is a significant blow to those who would seek to defraud the system and take advantage of government benefits meant for those in need.
The outcome of this case serves as a reminder that those who engage in such behavior will be held accountable for their actions.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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