8 Philly Employees Fraudulently Got For COVID Assistance Funds: AG

Philadelphia PA

17 June, 2022

9:01 AM

Description

PHILADELPHIA — Eight Philadelphia city employees have been charged with trying to fraudulently obtain Pandemic Unemployment Assistance through the CARES Act. Attorney General Josh Shapiro Thursday announced charges against eight employees of the City of Philadelphia for allegedly providing false information in an attempt to illegally get the funding. The investigation showed eight people while employed at the City of Philadelphia conspired to illegally obtain PUA funds in excess of $300,000. Charged are Aaron Anderson-Bush, Amir Berry, Antonio Vincent Ford, Christopher L. Daye, Derrick M. Smith, J'mar Maurice Henderson, Shanae N. Johnson, and Stacey Djuan Moultrie. They are charged with theft by deception, receiving stolen property, and tampering with public records. "These arrests are an important reminder that falsely applying for unemployment benefits is a serious crime," Shapiro said. "These individuals took money away from taxpayers, and we will fight to get those funds repaid. I commend the City of Philadelphia for investigating this fraud, and I encourage others to do the same." Following a referral from the City of Philadelphia Office of Inspector General, agents with the Office of Attorney General allege that the eight defendants fraudulently applied for PUA benefits between February and September 2020, claiming on their applications that their employment ended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Prosecutors allege they were all employed by the City of Philadelphia during the time they fraudulently applied for these benefits, and determined that each individual applied for and received between approximately $20,000 and $60,000 in PUA benefits. "Public service is a privilege and it demands honesty," said Alexander DeSantis, Inspector General, City of Philadelphia. "The City made every effort to protect its workforce during the pandemic, yet these individuals chose to misappropriate government benefits that were intended for people in need. We thank the Attorney General and his dedicated staff for holding these wrongdoers accountable." "If you made some extra cash during the pandemic by fraudulently applying for PUA benefits – turn yourself in and get on a payment plan to repay the taxpayer money stolen," Shapiro said. "Do the right thing, or potentially face criminal charges and prosecution. The Department of Labor & Industry has set up a Fraud Hotline at 1-800-692-7469 or benefits.uc.pa.gov so you can self-report this fraud. Don't wait for us to knock on your door." Anyone who has fraudulently received PUA benefits is urged to voluntarily repay the money before they are contacted by agents of the Attorney General's Office. Anyone who received a letter from L&I indicating a balance owed should contact L&I and repay the money or face the possibility of criminal charges.