Mitchacole Johnson, Larry Witherspoon, Unemployment Insurance Benefit Fraud, Michigan 2022

Grimy Times Investigates: Unemployment Insurance Benefit Fraud Rings Exposed

DETROIT, Michigan – In a shocking revelation, two defendants have pleaded guilty to charges related to unemployment insurance benefit fraud schemes, announced Acting United States Attorney Saima Mohsin. The defendants, Mitchacole Johnson, 45, of Shelby Township, and Larry Witherspoon, 46, of Harper Woods, have admitted to their involvement in the elaborate scams.

According to court records, Johnson and Witherspoon are responsible for filing at least 66 claims for fraudulent unemployment insurance benefits in at least 4 states, including Michigan. Their illegal activity caused actual losses of over $1.3 million and attempted losses of nearly $3.5 million. Johnson filed a number of claims in her own name, while Witherspoon filed multiple claims in the names of people who had names similar to his own, such as ‘Lawrence Witherspoon’. Both defendants filed their claims using other people’s Social Security Numbers and had the benefits deposited into a variety of bank accounts, some connected to pre-paid debit cards.

The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ryan A. Particka. The investigations are being conducted jointly by agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency, with the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General providing crucial support.

Mitchacole Johnson and Larry Witherspoon will be sentenced before United States District Judge Gershwin Drain on March 22, 2022. As part of their plea agreement, both defendants have agreed to pay restitution to the states affected by their illegal activities.

The guilty pleas mark a significant victory for law enforcement agencies tasked with rooting out unemployment insurance benefit fraud. As Grimy Times continues to investigate, it becomes clear that these types of scams are a growing concern for states across the nation.

We will continue to follow this story and provide updates as more information becomes available.

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