From Staff Reports
MONTGOMERY – Alabama Department of Labor Commissioner Fitzgerald Washington announced today that the Department has successfully prosecuted several Alabamians for unemployment compensation fraud.
The following individuals were charged with Theft of Property 1st Degree for violating the Alabama Unemployment Compensation Law by making false statements in claims for benefits:
Herman Braggs, of Mobile, was tried in Mobile County Circuit Court on January 28, 2016. An investigation by Labor’s Benefit Payment Control Section determined that Foster received a total of $3,806 in benefits to which he was not entitled.
Braggs pled guilty and was sentenced to three years in jail, which was suspended pending restitution, and three years of supervised probation. He was also ordered to pay a victims crime fund assessment of $50, court costs, and restitution in the amount of benefits received illegally.
Willie C. Cobbs, of Mobile, was tried in Mobile County Circuit Court on February 4,2016. An investigation by Labor’s Benefit Payment Control Section determined that Cobbs received a total of $8,118 in benefits to which he was not entitled. Cobbs pled guilty and was sentenced to one year in jail, which was suspended for two years pending restitution, and two years of supervised probation. He was also ordered to pay a victims crime fund assessment of $50, court costs, and restitution in the amount of benefits received illegally.
Felicia R. Dailey, of Mobile, was tried in Mobile County Circuit Court on February 23, 2016. An investigation by Labor’s Benefit Payment Control Section determined that Dailey received a total of $6,169 in benefits to which she was not entitled. Dailey pled guilty and was sentenced to one year in jail, which was suspended for two years, and placed on two years of supervised probation. She was also ordered to pay a victims crime fund assessment of $25, court costs, and restitution in the amount of benefits received illegally within one year.
Brandon L. Dempster, of Mobile, was tried in Mobile County Circuit Court on February 23, 2016. An investigation by Labor’s Benefit Payment Control Section determined that Dempster received a total of $2,646 in benefits to which he was not entitled. Dempster pled guilty and was sentenced to one year in jail, which was suspended for two years, and placed on two years of supervised probation. He was also ordered to pay a victims crime fund assessment of $25, court costs, and restitution in the amount of benefits received illegally.
Anthony Nathaniel Jordan, of Mobile, was tried in Mobile County Circuit Court on December 3, 2015. An investigation by Labor’s Benefit Payment Control Section determined that Jordan received a total of $6,225 in benefits to which he was not entitled. Jordan pled guilty and was sentenced to 46 months in jail, split for time served with the remainder suspended pending restitution, and three years of supervised probation. He was also ordered to pay a victims crime fund assessment of $50, court costs, and restitution in the amount of benefits received illegally.
Samuel J. Marston, of Mobile, was tried in Mobile County Circuit Court on January 28, 2016. An investigation by Labor’s Benefit Payment Control Section determined that Marston received a total of $6,009 in benefits to which he was not entitled. Marston pled guilty and was sentenced to one year in jail, which was suspended for two years pending restitution, and two years of supervised probation. He was also ordered to pay a victims crime fund assessment of $50, court costs, and restitution in the amount of benefits received illegally.
Kingston B. Osborne, of Mobile, was tried in Mobile County Circuit Court on February 4, 2016. An investigation by Labor’s Benefit Payment Control Section determined that Osborne received total of $9,504 in benefits to which he was not entitled. Osborne pled guilty and was sentenced to one year in jail, which was suspended for two years pending restitution, and two years of supervised probation. He was also ordered to pay a victims crime fund assessment of $50, court costs, and restitution in the amount of benefits received illegally.
The following individuals were charged with Theft of Property 2:
Walter C. Dennis, of Mobile, was tried in Mobile County Circuit Court on January 8, 2016. An investigation by Labor’s Benefit Payment Control Section determined that Dennis received a total of $1,390 in benefits to which he was not entitled. Dennis pled guilty and was sentenced to one year in prison, which was suspended for two years pending restitution, and was placed on two years of supervised probation. He was ordered to pay a victims crime fund assessment of $50, court costs, and restitution in the amount of benefits received illegally.
Jamie Lorane George, of Mobile, was tried in Mobile County Circuit Court on January 14, 2016. An investigation by Labor’s Benefit Payment Control Section determined that George received a total of $1,404 in benefits to which she was not entitled. George pled guilty and was sentenced to one year in jail, with credit for time served and the remainder suspended for two years. The ordered restitution was to be paid immediately, and she was placed on two years of formal probation. She was assessed a victims crime fund assessment of $50, a $350 bond fee, and ordered to pay court costs and restitution in the amount of benefits received illegally.
The following individuals were charged with Theft of Property 3:
Roosevelt Morris, of Huntsville, was tried in Madison County Circuit Court on February 18, 2016. An investigation by Labor’s Benefit Payment Control Section determined that Morris received a total of $2,808 in benefits to which he was not entitled.Morris pled guilty and was sentenced to a one year in jail which was suspended for two years. He was fined $250 and ordered to pay court costs and restitution in the amount of benefits received illegally.
“Unemployment compensation benefits can serve as a lifeline to those who truly need them,” said Washington. “However, we want to send a message to those who would knowingly defraud the system in order to obtain benefits they aren’t entitled to: This is a crime and you will be prosecuted.”
“Our investigators are continuously working with local District Attorney Offices in order to identify and prosecute those individuals who are committing these crimes. I would also like to remind employers that their timely reporting of new hires is one of the best tools we have to prevent unemployment fraud.”
Suspected unemployment compensation fraud may be reported to the Alabama Department of Labor by calling 1-800-392-8019.