Four defendants charged with large-scale unemployment insurance fraud

(WXYZ) – The ministry has announced charges against four defendants who allegedly participated in a massive unemployment insurance benefit fraud scheme.

A criminal complaint alleges that the suspects were involved in a $ 2.2 million scheme that includes mail fraud, electronic fraud, aggravated identity theft and a conspiracy to commit mail and electronic fraud.

Daeshawn Tamar Posey, 25, of Detroit; Chaz Duane Shields, 33 from Detroit, Cortney Shaquan Shields, 30 from Warren, and Brittany Levett Witherspoon, 25 from Warren, are indicted in the case.

According to the complaint, Posey, Chaz Shields, Cortney Shields and Witherspoon are responsible for filing more than 240 fraudulent unemployment insurance claims in at least 20 states and territories, causing more than $ 725,000 in losses to the state Michigan and over $ 1,500,000. losses for the State of California.

It is alleged that the defendants received benefits deposited into various bank accounts, some related to prepaid debit cards.

While already incarcerated, Cortney Shields is said to have exchanged messages with co-conspirators to facilitate the personal information of others in order to submit fraudulent unemployment insurance claims.

“Taxpayer dollars diverted from the pockets of criminals means less money is going to Michigan residents who need help getting through this difficult time,” Acting US Attorney Mohsin said. “These arrests reflect our continued commitment to investigate these schemes and bring those who commit these crimes to justice. “An important mission of the Office of Inspector General is to investigate allegations of unemployment insurance fraud. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate these types of allegations, ”said Irene Lindow, Special Agent in Charge, Chicago Region, US Department of Labor Office of the Inspector. general.

“The FBI and its law enforcement partners will continue to devote significant resources to preventing UI fraud and holding accountable those who have already stolen taxpayer money from Americans unemployed, ”said Timothy Waters, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Field Office in Detroit.

Special Agent in Charge Andre Martin, Great Lakes Regional Office, Office of the Inspector General of Postal Services, United States, said: Benefit programs.

Once the investigation is complete, it will be decided whether to seek a felony indictment.