A former dishwasher at a popular Philadelphia restaurant has been sentenced to 45 months in prison for operating a massive unemployment fraud scheme that targeted his coworkers. Terron Mason Moore, 34, of Philadelphia, PA, pleaded guilty to 17 counts of mail fraud, conversion of government funds, and aggravated identity theft in connection with his scheme to defraud the Pennsylvania Unemployment Compensation Fund of $171,895.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Moore’s scheme involved stealing the personal identifiable information of approximately 21 individuals, including their social security numbers, and using this information to file fraudulent unemployment compensation claims. The victims were all coworkers of Moore’s at the Tinto restaurant in Philadelphia, and many were students or at the start of their careers.
The scheme, which lasted for over three years, allowed Moore to fund a lifestyle he otherwise would not have enjoyed, including trips to Jamaica and Las Vegas. U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain stated that Moore’s actions were a betrayal of his coworkers, who were working hard to build their lives in an honest manner. Instead, Moore resorted to fraud and theft, causing financial harm and emotional distress to his victims.
Moore’s sentence includes 45 months of incarceration, followed by three years of supervised release, and restitution of $171,895. The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Labor, the United States Postal Inspection – Office of Inspector General, and the Social Security Administration, and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Megan Curran.
Richard Deer, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Philadelphia Region of the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, stated that Moore’s actions were a misuse of the unemployment insurance benefit program, which is intended to assist workers who have lost their jobs. Deer emphasized that his office will continue to work with law enforcement partners and state workforce agencies to protect the integrity of these programs.
The sentence handed down to Moore serves as a warning to those who would seek to exploit these programs for personal gain. As U.S. Attorney McSwain noted, Moore’s actions were a crime not just against his coworkers, but against the taxpayers who fund these programs. The case highlights the importance of vigilance and cooperation between law enforcement agencies to prevent and prosecute unemployment fraud.
In addition to the financial harm caused by Moore’s scheme, his actions also caused significant emotional distress to his victims. Many of the victims were left to deal with the aftermath of identity theft, including damaged credit and compromised personal information. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting personal identifiable information and being vigilant against identity theft.
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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