Travis Kilgore, Unemployment Fraud Scheme, Virginia 2020

ABINGDON, Va. – A Wise County, Virginia man has been sentenced to 87 months in prison for his role in a massive unemployment fraud scheme.

Travis Kilgore, 34, was found guilty of conspiring to defraud the United States and committing mail fraud. According to court documents, Kilgore and his wife conspired with others to file for fraudulent pandemic unemployment benefits, defrauding the government of over $182,474 in pandemic unemployment benefits.

The scheme began in May 2020, with Kilgore and his wife filing claims for various individuals, including themselves, who were not eligible to receive pandemic unemployment benefits. Kilgore falsified the filings as part of the scheme to appear eligible for benefits.

Because pandemic unemployment benefits were paid weekly, Kilgore reverified and re-certified the false statements on numerous occasions throughout the scheme. In all, Kilgore and his wife filed claims for approximately 21 other individuals, causing at least $182,474 in false claims to be paid.

Kilgore was also ordered to pay $164,470 in restitution, with the government previously recouping $18,004. The investigation of the case was conducted by the Department of Labor-Office of the Inspector General and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the Norton Police Department, and the Russell County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant United States Attorney Daniel J. Murphy is prosecuting the case for the United States. Kilgore’s sentence is a stark reminder of the consequences of committing financial crimes during a time of national crisis.

“When Kilgore filed numerous false claims for pandemic insurance benefits, he committed a serious crime and stole funds designed to help those truly in need because of the international pandemic,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Bubar. “We are thankful for the good work of the investigative team, including the Department of Labor, IRS and our state and local partners, and will continue to closely work together to bring all who stole from these important programs to justice.”

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