ALBANY, NEW YORK — Elizabeth Lashley, a/k/a “Elizabeth Bonilla,” 42, of Watervliet, New York, is facing federal wire fraud charges after authorities allege she defrauded the system out of over $65,000 in pandemic-related unemployment insurance benefits. The scheme spanned three states, with California, Arizona, and Massachusetts’ state workforce agencies targeted.
Lashley was arraigned today, charged with filing false applications for benefits between May 2020 and July 2020 under her own name or aliases. She stands accused of falsely claiming eligibility for these funds, which carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and supervised release lasting three years.
The investigation into Lashley’s alleged scheme was conducted by the United States Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General (USDOL-OIG), the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Albany Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew M. Paulbeck, Joseph S. Hartunian, and Joshua R. Rosenthal are handling the prosecution.
Established on May 17, 2021, the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force has been instrumental in combating pandemic-related fraud. It enhances the Department of Justice’s efforts to investigate and prosecute such cases, ensuring that those who attempt to exploit the relief efforts face justice.
For those with information regarding similar fraud allegations, the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline can be reached at 866-720-5721 or reported through their Web Complaint Form available online. The Task Force’s dedication to uncovering and preventing such fraudulent activities is unwavering.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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