Vicky Hefner, Theft of Public Money, Missouri 2020

ST. LOUIS, Missouri – A Missouri state employee has been accused of stealing $140,500 in unemployment insurance funds, according to a recent indictment. Vicky Hefner, 63, of Jefferson County, Missouri, is facing three federal felony charges for her alleged role in the scheme.

According to the indictment, Hefner, who worked as a benefit program specialist for Missouri's Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Division of Employment Security, began her work in 2009. She was responsible for helping people file their claims over the phone and adjudicating issues related to unemployment claims.

From July to December 2020, Hefner allegedly logged into the accounts of multiple friends, relatives, or associates, changing their status and using her credentials to make them eligible for unemployment benefits or increase their benefits. She also triggered unemployment payments to people who were still working, the indictment states.

Hefner's friends and relatives then paid her kickbacks, the indictment says. The total amount of stolen funds is estimated to be around $140,500.

Hefner was indicted by a federal grand jury on September 28, 2020. She pleaded not guilty to the charges last week. Each charge carries a potential penalty of up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. If convicted, Hefner will also be ordered to repay the money.

The case was investigated by the Office of Inspector General at both the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Labor. Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward Dowd III is prosecuting the case.

Charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edmo/pr/missouri-state-employee-accused-stealing-140000-unemployment-insurance-funds