Melissa Hayes, Pandemic Unemployment Scheme, Virginia 2023

Bristol Woman Sentenced in Pandemic Unemployment Scheme

A Bristol, Tennessee woman has been sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for her role in a pandemic unemployment scheme that cost the US over $499,000.

Melissa Hayes, 51, pleaded guilty earlier this year to one count of conspiracy to commit unemployment fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud.

According to court documents, Hayes conspired with others to commit fraud against the United States in connection with a scheme involving the filing of fraudulent claims for pandemic unemployment benefits.

Members of the conspiracy, including Hayes, worked together to collect personal identification information of more than 35 co-conspirators, including 15 inmates in the custody of the Virginia Department of Corrections, and to file fraudulent claims of pandemic-related unemployment benefits.

Over the course of nine months, Hayes, and others, filed fraudulent claims for at least 37 individuals, with a total actual loss to the United States of at least $499,000.

The case was investigated by the Department of Labor Office of the Inspector General, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, Norton Police Department, and Russell County Sheriff’s Office.

Acting United States Attorney Daniel P. Bubar of the Western District of Virginia announced the sentencing.

Hayes was sentenced on May 17, 2023 to 24 months in federal prison. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel J. Murphy.

The US Attorney’s Office has continued to pursue cases related to COVID-19 related fraud. Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdva/pr/bristol-tennessee-woman-sentenced-24-months-prison-role-pandemic-unemployment-scheme