Travis Kilgore, Unemployment Fraud Scheme, Virginia 2024

ABINGDON, Va. - Travis Kilgore, a Wise, Va. man, has pleaded guilty to a scheme that defrauded the government of over $182,474 in unemployment benefits during the pandemic.

Kilgore, 34, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy: one count of conspiracy to defraud the government and one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, in U.S. District Court in Abingdon on May 27, 2024.

“During a worldwide pandemic, Kilgore and his co-conspirators defrauded the government and stole funds targeted to help the most vulnerable in society, who had lost their jobs,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Daniel P. Bubar. “I am grateful for the Department of Labor and our state partners, whose hard work brought Kilgore to justice, and demonstrate the importance of the integrity of these vital programs.”

According to court documents, Kilgore and his co-conspirators filed claims for pandemic unemployment benefits through the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) website, submitting false statements to appear eligible for benefits. Kilgore reverified and re-certified the false statements on numerous occasions throughout the scheme.

In total, Kilgore filed claims for approximately 21 other individuals, causing at least $182,474 in false claims to be paid.

The investigation of the case was conducted by the Department of Labor-Office of the Inspector General, 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.

Travis Kilgore, Defendant: 34-year-old Wise County man.

Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to defraud the government and conspiracy to commit mail fraud.

City and State: Abingdon, Virginia.

Exact Date: May 27, 2024.

Sentence or Outcome: Travis Kilgore has pleaded guilty to the charges.

Dollar Amount: $182,474.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdva/pr/wise-county-man-pleads-guilty-unemployment-fraud-scheme