Multi-state unemployment fraud scheme, including Michigan, lands man in prison for 51 months
Adrian Fluellen, 29, from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced for his role in a multi-state, million-dollar unemployment insurance fraud scheme aimed at defrauding the U.S. government and the states of Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Maryland of funds earmarked for unemployment assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Help Me Hank: Hereโs how scammers are targeting UIA members in Michigan
Itโs a new email scam, and millions in Michigan are being targeted. If youโve collected unemployment, you may receive an email that appears to be from UIA asking for personal information. However, if you look closely, you may notice misspellings.
3 letter carriers charged for taking bribes from Farmington Hills man to help him steal credit cards
Three letter carriers have been charged for accepting bribes from a Farmington Hills man to help him steal credit cards from other people and intercept fraudulent COVID unemployment benefits he sent to homes along their routes, officials said.
Farmington Hills man bribes letter carriers to get credit cards, steals COVID unemployment benefits
A 28-year-old Farmington Hills man bribed letter carriers to obtain other peopleโs credit cards and later expanded his scheme to have those carriers intercept fraudulent COVID unemployment benefits he had filed for and sent to homes along their routes, officials said.
Audit flags problems with hiring of Michigan unemployment workers
State auditors say Michiganโs unemployment agency did not require worker background checks or quickly deactivate former contract and state employeesโ computer access to the confidential benefits system amid unprecedented jobless claims early in the COVID-19 pandemic.
โI could not believe what I was seeingโ: Woman shares story of $17K bill from Michigan unemployment agency
She filed for unemployment as an independent contractor and soon the checks she needed arrived, but then late last year she received a notification from UIA telling her she owed the state $17,000. She was stunned.
Michiganโs UIA acting director appears before House committee over problems of the last 18 months
Michiganโs acting Unemployment Insurance Agency director appeared before the House Oversight Committee Thursday to answer questions about the problems the agency has dealt with over the past 18 months.
UIA virtual appointments offer more accessibility for Michiganders
The Unemployment Insurance Agency has added a virtual appointment option for customers needing assistance with their claims, including a dedicated link for customers who are deaf or hard of hearing utilizing voice to text closed captioning.
Michiganders on unemployment will be required to prove theyโre actively searching for work to keep benefits
Frustrated business owners who are offering bonuses and upgraded wages testified in front of the Michigan House Oversight Committee that they canโt get workers because of expanded state and federal unemployment benefits.
Expansions to temporary Michigan unemployment provisions set to expire March 31
A new or additional claim for unemployment benefits filed within 28 days of the last day the claimant worked will no longer be considered to have been filed on time. LANSING, Mich โ According to state law, some temporary expansions in unemployment eligibility and cost-sharing applicable to state unemployment claims are set to expire on Wednesday, March 31, 2021. Unemployment expansions expiring include:28-day late filingA new or additional claim for unemployment benefits filed within 28 days of the last day the claimant worked will no longer be considered to have been filed on time. Individuals who are disqualified for state unemployment benefits based on these reasons may qualify for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA). Relaxed eligibility requirements for the Work Share programEmployers must meet and maintain the traditional requirements for Work Share plans.
Metro Detroit father who fought for unemployment benefits runs into another glitch in the system
Thousands of Michigan residents are still struggling with the Michigan Unemployment Agency while trying to get their benefits. A Metro Detroit father is one of the people who thought his issue was fixed, but then the money once again stopped coming due to another glitch. READ: Michigan officials say unemployment rate declined in February -- here are the numbersBrandon Gregware has been struggling with the unemployment agency. If you find yourself in a similar situation you should call the Unemployment Insurance Agency and set up an appointment. Thursdayโs report from the Labor Department showed that jobless claims climbed from 725,000 the week before.
Michigan residents say there are problems with online unemployment system, struggle to get benefits
DETROIT โ People in Michigan trying to file for unemployment or update a claim said they have been struggling to get the benefits they need. Officials said several upgrades have been made in the last few months, but there are two major problems that are persisting despite those upgrades. READ: Thousands of Michigan residents still struggling to get unemployment benefitsThe first is the online system just canโt keep up with the demand. The other issue is identity theft. The identity theft is causing accounts to be frozen and even just lifting the freeze is a challenge.
Financial expert offers advice on navigating unique tax season during pandemic
DETROIT โ As with so many things during the pandemic filing your taxes this year is very different. There is a whole new list of challenges for many who may have collected unemployment or suffered job loss. This year here is what you need to know if you collected unemployment or a stimulus check. โI just think it is the craziest year because there are so many moving parts,โ said financial expert, Tom Hakim. AdFor those of you who have collected unemployment or received stimulus checks, you need to know how this could affect your taxes.
Michigan reopens pandemic unemployment assistance as system struggles to keep up with demand
DETROIT โ It has been riddled with problems since the start of the pandemic, but on Monday the Michigan Insurance Agency rolled out some badly needed changes. In order to help the thousands of unemployed people across the state it rolled out an updated computer system. It gives you an idea of just how dysfunctional the unemployment system is when the newly updated system crashed Monday morning. This new update covers pandemic unemployment assistance known as PUA and pandemic emergency unemployment compensation or PEUC. Answer: This is an issue with the stateโs MiLogin system and is affecting more than the unemployment system.
Michigan unemployment: PUA, PEUC claimants can now reopen, certify claims, state says
LANSING, Mich. โ Michigan residents who had PUA and PEUC claims that ended in December can now reopen, certify or apply for benefits, state unemployment officials said. Officials with the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency said they have completed system updates for the recently extended federal unemployment insurance programs. All remaining Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation claimants whose claims ended when CARES Act programs were interrupted in December can now either reopen, certify or apply for benefits available under the Continued Assistance Act, according to the state. A new provision under the CAA requires PUA claimants to submit proof of employment or self-employment to maintain eligibility. Workers on regular state UI benefits will no longer receive the PEUC extension automatically.
Michigan residents still fighting unemployment fraud amid tax season
DETROIT โ Some Michigan residents have been receiving 1099-G forms for unemployment benefits that they never applied for or received. The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency was hacked last year. She said receiving the 1099-G is just the latest update in a long struggle with the unemployment agency. The larger problem for many people is that theyโre getting kicked up into a higher tax bracket, where the tax bill is still higher. READ: Task force cracking down on unemployment fraud in Michigan
Hackers filing unemployment claims for Michigan residents who arenโt unemployed
Unemployment claims in Michigan have been at an all-time high during the pandemic. DETROIT โ Someone is hacking into the Michigan unemployment office and filing claims for people who arenโt unemployed, Local 4โฒs Rod Meloni has learned. The victims didnโt know about these fraudulent claims until they saw unemployment income that they didnโt receive included on their tax forms, officials said. Those residents are being pushed up into a higher tax bracket as a result, state officials said. Michigan officials have seen an increase in fraudulent activities surrounding unemployment as thousands of residents try to get benefits because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
3 Metro Detroiters accused of 95 fraudulent unemployment claims as thousands struggle to get benefits
Federal officials said the two filed at least 66 fraudulent Michigan unemployment insurance benefits claims, causing a loss of more than $150,000. โAs I have said before, those who steal unemployment benefits steal from all of us. Court records show they had the fraudulent benefits deposited into a variety of bank accounts, including some connected to prepaid debit cards. Officials said Armstrong has filed fraudulent applications for unemployment insurance benefits on behalf of people in Michigan, California and Pennsylvania. โThe UIA remains committed to working closely with all of our federal and state partners on the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Fraud Task Force to bring unemployment fraud cases to justice.โ
Law clinic at University of Michigan helps residents resolve unemployment claims
RELATED: Michigan unemployment: Residents can start to claim remaining PEUC, PUA paymentsThereโs a new way people who are battling the Unemployment Insurance Agency can get help to solve these issues. The University of Michiganโs Workersโ Rights Clinic has law students assisting residents in solving what can be frustrating issues. Before the coronavirus pandemic, the school said the Workersโ Rights Clinic would average about 15 phone calls each week. The Workersโ Rights Clinic -- formerly the Unemployment Insurance Clinic -- offers advice, provides representation at more. To apply for legal assistance through the Workersโ Rights Clinic, visit the University of Michigan Law Schoolโs official website here.
Michigan unemployment: Residents can start to claim remaining PEUC, PUA payments this week
Michigan residents who have remaining pandemic unemployment payments can start to claim them this week, including the additional $300 COVID-19 benefit, state officials announced. Residents who claimed Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation or Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits and had weeks remaining on their claim as of Dec. 26, 2020, can start to certify their claims, according to the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency. RELATED: Whitmer confirms start of $300 unemployment payments to Michiganders affected by COVID-19The certification process can be done through MiWAM accounts, officials said. Residents who didnโt exhaust their original 13 weeks of PEUC can claim the balance of remaining weeks, starting with the week ending Jan. 2, officials said. Claimants who didnโt exhaust their original 39 weeks of PUA payments can claim the balance of remaining weeks, beginning with the week ending Jan. 2, the state revealed.
$300 COVID-19 unemployment payments slowly making way to Michigan residents
The battle to collect unemployment benefits continues for many Michigan residents, but state officials said the $300 COVID-19 bonus is coming soon. State officials said that money is slowing making its way to Michigan. READ: Whitmer signs $106M relief bill, extends COVID-19 unemployment benefits through MarchThe Pandemic Unemployment Compensation payments run from Dec. 27, 2020, through March 13, 2021. They offer an additional $300 in benefits per week to Michigan claimants who were negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Claimants donโt have to take action to receive the additional payments.
Michigan begins making $300 COVID-19 unemployment payments to Michigan residents
LANSING, Mich. โ Michigan has started making the $300 weekly COVID-19 unemployment payments to eligible residents who were affected by the pandemic. The Pandemic Unemployment Compensation payments run from Dec. 27, 2020, through March 13, 2021. They offer an additional $300 in benefits per week to Michigan claimants who were negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. PEUC provides 11 additional weeks of benefits for those who have exhausted regular state unemployment benefits. PUA provides unemployment benefits to those not typically eligible for unemployment including self-employed and gig workers.
11 takeaways from Michigan Gov. Whitmerโs update on COVID-19 in Michigan
Gretchen Whitmer held a briefing Tuesday (Dec. 29) to discuss the stateโs handling of COVID-19, a $106 million relief bill, unemployment benefits and more. Gretchen Whitmer signs a $106 million COVID-19 relief bill on Dec. 29, 2020. โI proposed this stimulus plan to the legislature in November because I know how much our families, frontline workers, and small businesses need relief,โ Whitmer said. Whitmer vetoes other itemsWhen she signed the relief bill, Whitmer line item vetoed any items not subject to negotiated agreement. Requests for legislationWhitmer makes public requests of the Michigan Legislature during nearly every COVID-19 briefing, and Tuesday was no different.
Timeline of how COVID trends have actually changed since Michigan issued, extended, revised order
Michiganโs most recent COVID-19 order has issued, extended and then revised tighter restrictions on the state over the past six weeks. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says the order has greatly improved the COVID-19 situation in Michigan, but does that timeline actually line up?
Michiganโs COVID-19 trends continue to improve -- hereโs an update on all 3 major metrics
LANSING, Mich. โ The three major metrics Michigan uses to gauge the spread of COVID-19 continue to improve, according to an update from the stateโs top health official. Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, the chief medical executive for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, updated the stateโs case, hospitalization and positivity rates during Gov. These regions also have the highest case rates, though both are declining in that regard. As of Tuesday, 13.8% of inpatient hospital beds across the state are being used for COVID-19 patients, Khaldun said. While the numbers improve, nearly 71,000 people have been vaccinated in Michigan, Khaldun said.
Gov. Whitmer says Michiganโs COVID-19 numbers improving โbecause of actions weโve takenโ
LANSING, Mich. โ Michiganโs COVID-19 numbers have continued to improve in recent weeks, and Gov. READ: Timeline of how COVID trends have actually changed since Michigan issued, extended, revised orderโSince my last press briefing, our numbers have continued to improve,โ Whitmer said Tuesday. According to the governor, Michiganโs focus on science-based action, along with cooperation from residents, is responsible for the improving numbers. โNow, because of the actions that weโve taken, and because so many Michiganders have done their part, our numbers are better than all of our Midwestern neighbors,โ Whitmer said. โThese numbers are encouraging.โWhile no announcement was made about further reopening parts of the state, Whitmer said officials are continuing to monitor COVID-19 trends closely to see if theyโre affected by holiday travel.
Michigan Gov. Whitmer signs $106M relief bill, extends COVID-19 unemployment benefits through March
Gretchen Whitmer has signed a $106 million relief bill and also extended COVID-19 unemployment benefits through March 2021. Gretchen Whitmer signs a bill extending COVID-19 unemployment benefits on Dec. 29, 2020. Forty states, including all of our neighbors, automatically provide at least 26 weeks of unemployment relief. Whitmer vetoes other itemsWhen she signed the relief bill, Whitmer line item vetoed any items not subject to negotiated agreement. Whitmer wants the Legislature to pass a permanent extension of unemployment benefits and an increase in weekly benefits.
Why start of extra $300 weekly unemployment benefits will be delayed in Michigan
The additional $300 weekly unemployment payments for residents who qualify for COVID-19 relief will be delayed in Michigan, officials said. Congress passed a COVID-19 relief package that extends the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation federal unemployment programs. โThis federal extension will bring much needed relief to nearly 700,000 Michigan workers who are currently receiving benefits under the PUA and PEUC programs,โ said Liza Estlund Olson, acting director of the Unemployment Insurance Agency. โWe will have to make updates to our systems to extend benefits and renew the FPUC $300 supplemental payments,โ the release says. Year-end tax statements for anyone who received unemployment benefits in 2020 will be available online in mid-January.
Gov. Whitmer: Expiration of unemployment benefits to impact 700,000 Michiganders
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer estimates that the unemployment lapse would affect nearly 700,000 Michigan residents who are dependent upon unemployment benefits amid the pandemic. โWe have hundreds of thousands of people in my state who are risk of losing their benefits,โ Whitmer said on CNN Sunday morning. Get some relief to people,โ Whitmer added, addressing Trumpโs initial refusal to sign the $900 billion COVID relief bill that has been passed by Congress. Good news on Covid Relief Bill. โ Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 27, 2020โGood news on Covid Relief Bill,โ Trump tweeted.
Thousands of Michigan residents still struggling to get unemployment benefits
DETROIT โ Last month, when the director of the Michigan Unemployment Office resigned, promises were made that critical fixes would be made and help would arrive for the thousands struggling to get benefits. On Monday, those problems still remain. Many people have been going back and forth with unemployment officials for months with no end in sight. Many people are desperate for help. Watch the video above for the full report.
The biggest problems people encounter when filing for unemployment
DETROIT โ New unemployment claims have been increasing as states start to put new restrictions in place to deal with a surge in coronavirus (COVID-19) cases. There were 853,000 people who applied for benefits last week, thatโs the most since September. In Michigan, another 20,000 people applied for benefits. Local 4โฒs Hank Winchester found out that a lot of people are still running into trouble trying to get their benefits. READ: Michigan father locked in battle with unemployment agency over lack of benefitsWatch the video above for the full report.
Michigan father locked in battle with unemployment agency over lack of benefits
DETROIT โ A father of four has been locked in a battle with the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency since the summer. He hadnโt received any benefits, and after running into a problem at every turn he reached out to the Help Me Hank team for help. He has been working for months to try to get the benefits owed to him. Local 4โฒs Hank Winchester investigated and now the father will be getting his benefits. The problem was that the fatherโs identity had been stolen and because of that, his account was put on hold.
Audit: Effort to speed unemployment payments exposed system to fraud
LANSING, Mich. โ An audit to address issues at the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) found that shortcuts used to expedite payments left the agency vulnerable to fraud in hundreds of millions of dollars. The audit done by Deloitte cited multiple actions taken that caused problems. Michigan officials are warning residents of an email scam that is attempting to retrieve personal information from individuals collecting unemployment benefits. According to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, an email is being sent to claimants seeking personal information. The email is being sent from a Gmail account that appears to be from the Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) -- it is not.
Michigan officials warn of email scam targeting unemployment claimants
Michigan officials are warning residents of an email scam that is attempting to retrieve personal information from individuals collecting unemployment benefits. According to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, an email is being sent to claimants seeking personal information. Michigan residents are being warned of an email scam targeting individuals who collect unemployment benefits. (Michigan Department of Attorney General)Officials say the UIA would never ask a claimant to reply to an email with personal information. โBad actors are increasingly sophisticated in their efforts to deceive people into giving away personal information,โ Nessel said.
New COVID restrictions in Michigan trigger flood of new unemployment claims
DETROIT โ Thousands of Michigan residents are expected to file for unemployment benefits in the coming weeks as those working in the service and entertainment industries take another hit amid new COVID-19-related closures. As the Michigan health departmentโs new coronavirus measures take effect, the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) is working to beef up its workforce and improve technology to serve those in need. These efforts have positioned the agency to better deal with large fluctuations of demand if necessary,โ UIA interim director said. The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency said people returning to unemployment because of COVID-19 should reopen previous claims, not make a new one. Use the same login information as you did the first time you claimed unemployment.
Michigan unemployment: Residents returning to unemployment should reopen previous claims
LANSING, Mich. โ Michigan workers who returned to work after being on unemployment and are now temporarily unemployed again should reopen their claims online, officials said. โMichiganders who were on unemployment, went back to work, and are now temporarily unemployed again due to COVID-19 can reopen their claim online,โ the UIA said in a release. Click here for more information on filing or reopening an unemployment claim, including FAQs, tutorial videos and other resources. UIA encouraged Michigan employers to file employer filed Claims online on behalf of their full-time workers who are temporarily or permanently laid off. The program allows job providers to retain their skilled workforce and avoid layoffs by reducing employee hours while employees collect partial unemployment benefits to make up for the lost wages.
Michigan looks to overhaul unemployment office after sudden departure of UIA director
The state of Michigan is looking to overhaul its unemployment office after the directorโs sudden resignation. Since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, the Michigan unemployment office has worked through significant issues. The UIA has been flooded with calls, as more than 2 million Michigan residents have applied for benefits since the start of the pandemic. The system couldnโt keep up with demand, and many people were frustrated. UIA Director Steve Gray tried to answer questions from lawmakers, but now he is out.
Michigan Gov. Whitmer signs bills extending unemployment benefits until end of year
Gretchen Whitmer has signed bills that extend unemployment benefits for residents who have lost work due to COVID-19 until the end of the year. Senate Bills 886 and 991 codify part of Whitmerโs orders that expanded unemployment benefits to Michiganders. โWhen we get back to session I look forward to taking up our bills to expand unemployment benefits and create stronger pathways to get Michigan families the resources they need during a pandemic,โ said Rep. Darrin Camilleri (D-Brownstown). Since March 15, the state has paid more than $25 billion in benefits to 2.2 million workers. Michigan was one of the first states to begin issuing the additional $600 pandemic benefit from the U.S. government.
Michigan unemployment offices to institute scheduled phone calls to better reach residents
LANSING, Mich. โ A major compliant for thousands of Michiganders working to collect unemployment benefits has been trying to reach someone on the phone to answer questions. With Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency offices closed, residents have no choice but to rely on the website or phone -- but some changes are being made to make it easier. Millions of Michiganders have filed for unemployment and many have collected, while others have had issues from fraud to basic problems like reaching a person. The website had many issues early on -- it simply couldnโt keep up with the enormous demand and the phone system kept crashing. However, UIA branch offices remain closed with no open date scheduled.
Michiganders could lose unemployment benefits if no action is taken in next few days, Whitmer says
LANSING, Mich. โ Hundreds of thousands of Michigan residents could lose their unemployment benefits if lawmakers donโt act in the next few days, according to Gov. On Tuesday, she called on the Republican-leg legislature to return to the Capitol and negotiate new orders. The two side havenโt been able to reach agreements since Whitmer extended the state of emergency without legislative approval in April. โThese are the men and women whoโve lost a job and were counting on expanded benefits to put food on the table for their kids,โ Whitmer said. On Sept. 8, Whitmer signed a bill to allow Michigan residents who qualify for unemployment to earn an extra $300 per week.
Michigan: People who exhaust unemployment get 20 weeks more
LANSING, Mich. โ People who exhaust 39 weeks of unemployment benefits in Michigan are eligible for up to 20 weeks of additional payments, the state announced. The federal extended benefits program kicked in because Michigan has had an unemployment rate of 8% or higher for three straight months during the coronavirus pandemic, the Unemployment Insurance Agency said Thursday. People out of work get up to 26 weeks of regular benefits and an additional 13 weeks because of the virus outbreak. The weekly payment for those who surpass 39 weeks will the same as what they received for regular unemployment insurance and not include the since-expired supplemental federal benefit of $600 and later $300.
Gov. Whitmer signs bill to cover $300 weekly unemployment bonus for Michiganders during pandemic
Gretchen Whitmer has signed a bill to allow Michigan residents who qualify for unemployment to earn an extra $300 per week as the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues. The bill appropriates $2.8 billion in supplemental funding from revenues awarded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The $300 payments will continue until the relief funding has been exhausted. The bill also includes $8 million toward the Brandon Road Lock and Dam in Illinois, a barrier to prevent invasive carp from entering Lake Michigan. It also provides match funding for disaster flood cleanup in Midland and Gladwin counties, as well as funding to cover costs for flood response and mitigation efforts in Detroit.
Michigan unemployment worker charged with stealing money from agency amid record demand
Michigan unemployment worker charged with stealing money from agency amid record demandPublished: August 26, 2020, 5:44 pmA Michigan unemployment worker has been charged with stealing money from the stateโs Unemployment Insurance Agency at a time when thousands of residents are still having trouble getting benefits.
Michigan unemployment worker charged with stealing money from agency amid record demand
A Michigan unemployment worker has been charged with stealing money from the states Unemployment Insurance Agency at a time when thousands of residents are still having trouble getting benefits. More than 1.5 million Michigan residents have filed for unemployment benefits during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, but the need is so great that many people have had trouble collecting their payments. READ: FEMA approves Michigan for additional $300 in weekly unemployment paymentsNow, officials are investigating a disturbing new twist: employees on the inside stealing from the UIA. Anyone who steals unemployment funds steals form the people of Michigan.Rose and another employee, Serenity Poynter 36, of Detroit, are accused of filing almost 100 fraudulent unemployment claims. Investigators said they used Poynters name to file the claims and used different social security numbers.
Why are Michigan unemployment offices still closed?
DETROIT โ Thousands of Michiganders are still struggling to get unemployment benefits in the state. The progress and upgrades to the Unemployment Insurance Agencyโs computer and phone systems has helped many but unemployment offices remain closed. The issues with Michiganโs unemployment system include phone issues, websites crashing, identity theft and even accusations of wrong doing by some new hires on the inside. Part of its reopening plan includes adding new safety partitions to the UIA offices, allowing for customers to be on one side, staff on the other keeping both sides as safe as possible. Additionally, the UIA claims it is currently developing an online scheduling system that will also include one-on-one meetings over the internet.
Michigan officials say $600 COVID-19 unemployment bonus ends this weekend
DETROIT โ Michigan unemployment officials said the $600 coronavirus (COVID-19) unemployment bonus will end this weekend. The Unemployment Insurance Agency announced Friday that the additional $600 weekly unemployment bonus offered to workers during the COVID-19 pandemic will expire Saturday, barring congressional action. States donโt have the ability to extend the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation Program and itโs unclear if federal officials plan to extend, reduce or eliminate the payments, according to Michigan officials. The extra $600 bonus has been paid to eligible residents since the beginning of April. Unemployment officials said they have made determinations on all currently eligible claims filed before June 1.
State worker accused of bilking Michigan unemployment insurance agency of $2 million
DETROIT โ The US Attorneyโs office in Detroit has charged 39-year-old Brandi Hawkins of Detroit as a key figure in a scheme to defraud the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency of millions of dollars. Hawkins was hired as a contract worker for the stateโs unemployment agency in April 2020. The feds say she used her access to sign off on $2 million in fraudulently filed claims. When federal agents went to her Detroit home they found $200,000 in cash and numerous new high end luxury items. The federal investigation is ongoing in tracking down everybody who received fraudulent funds as part of the scheme.
State worker accused of bilking Michigan unemployment insurance agency of $2 million
State worker accused of bilking Michigan unemployment insurance agency of $2 millionPublished: July 17, 2020, 11:13 pmThe US Attorneyโs office in Detroit has charged 39-year-old Brandi Hawkins of Detroit as a key figure in a scheme to defraud the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency of millions of dollars.
Michigan residents filing for unemployment being targeted for identity theft
DETROIT โ The Michigan Unemployment Agency has been overwhelmed these past four months, struggling to serve a record number of people filing for benefits amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. It was already bad for many of Michiganโs unemployed, but now the unemployment agency is catching heat for even more problems. READ: Michigan investigating if new hires are stealing from Unemployment Insurance AgencyOften times, people couldnโt get anyone on the phone. Local 4 reached out to the unemployment agency. The director said โitโs very disheartening that these criminals are taking advantage of a global pandemic to defraud Michiganders when they need unemployment benefits the most.โREAD: Michigan taps Deloitte to expand unemployment capacity, identify fraud
Michigan investigating if new hires are stealing from Unemployment Insurance Agency
LANSING, Mich. โ Michigan officials are investigating whether some recently-hired employees are stealing from the Unemployment Insurance Agency. READ: Michigan unemployment officials reveal staggering number of residents still waiting for benefitsThe employees are accused of stealing, scamming the system from the inside. A task force was set up a few weeks ago to look at the internal issues and an investigation is moving forward. READ: Task force cracking down on unemployment fraud in MichiganโWe made the hard decision to temporarily stop payment to accounts while we work with law enforcement and fraud experts to take additional steps to verify identities,โ Steve Gray with Michigan Unemployment said. Recently hired employees are accused of creating accounts of charging users to help get them their benefits sooner.
Michigan investigating if new hires are stealing from Unemployment Insurance Agency
Michigan investigating if new hires are stealing from Unemployment Insurance AgencyPublished: July 15, 2020, 5:35 pmMichigan officials are investigating whether some recently-hired employees are stealing from the Unemployment Insurance Agency.
Michigan UIA offices closed, unemployment claims unanswered amid ID theft investigation
Michigan UIA offices closed, unemployment claims unanswered amid ID theft investigationPublished: July 7, 2020, 5:38 pmThe Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency remains closed to the public amid the coronavirus pandemic, as tens of thousands of Michigan workers wait to receive a response or benefits.