Alabama Department of Labor Obtaining Convictions for Unemployment Compensation Fraud | Crime

MONTGOMERY – Alabama Department of Labor Commissioner Tom Surtees announced today that the Department has successfully prosecuted several Alabamians for unemployment compensation fraud. The following individuals were charged with violating the Alabama Unemployment Compensation Law by making false statements in claims for benefits.

- Cheryl Ivy, of Birmingham, was tried in Jefferson County District Court on September 27, 2012. An investigation by Labor’s Benefit Payment Control Section determined that Ivy received a total of $2,494.00 in benefits to which she was not entitled.

Ivy pled guilty and was sentenced to one year in jail, which was suspended pending restitution, and one year of unsupervised probation. She was also ordered to pay a $50.00 fine, court costs, and restitution in the amount of benefits received illegally.

- Michael F. Haith, of Birmingham, was tried in Jefferson County District Court on September 27, 2012. An investigation by Labor’s Benefit Payment Control Section determined that Haith received a total of $7,993.00 in benefits to which he was not entitled.

Haith pled guilty and was sentenced to serve one year in jail, which was suspended pending restitution, and five years of unsupervised probation. He was fined $50.00 and ordered to pay court costs and restitution in the amount of benefits received illegally.

- Kasey S. Drake, of Montevallo, was tried in Shelby County District Court on June 25, 2012. An investigation by Labor’s Benefit Payment Control Section determined that Drake received a total of $10,801.00 in benefits to which she was not entitled.

Drake pled guilty and was sentenced to 60 days in jail, which was suspended for two years pending restitution, and two years of unsupervised probation. She was ordered to pay court costs and restitution in the amount of benefits received illegally.

- Laneshia L. Shelton, of Selma, was tried in Dallas County District Court on September 11, 2012. An investigation by Labor’s Benefit Payment Control Section determined that Shelton received a total of $2,932.00 in benefits to which she was not entitled.

Shelton pled guilty and was sentenced to eight months in jail, which was suspended pending restitution, and two years of unsupervised probation. She was also required to pay court costs and restitution in the amount of benefits received illegally.

- Queen E. Grayson, of Selma, was tried in Dallas County District Court on September 25, 2012. An investigation by Labor’s Benefit Payment Control Section determined that Grayson received a total of $1,548.00 in benefits to which she was not entitled.

Grayson pled guilty and was sentenced to six months in jail, which was suspended for two years pending restitution, and two years of unsupervised probation. She was also required to pay court costs and restitution in the amount of benefits received illegally.

- Harvone Crenshaw, of Alabaster, was tried in Shelby County District Court on September 24, 2012. An investigation by Labor’s Benefit Payment Control Section determined that Crenshaw received a total of $1,419.00 in benefits to which he was not entitled.

Crenshaw pled guilty and was sentenced to 180 days in jail, which was suspended for two years pending restitution, and two years of unsupervised probation. He was also fined $100 and required to pay court costs and restitution in the amount of benefits received illegally.

- John M. Wells, of Dothan, was tried in Houston County District Court on August 27, 2012. An investigation by Labor’s Benefit Payment Control Section determined that Wells received a total of $4,080.00 in benefits to which he was not entitled.

Wells pled guilty and was sentenced to one year in jail, which was suspended for two years. He was also required to pay court costs and restitution in the amount of benefits received illegally.

- Jena L. Moorer, of Selma, was tried in Dallas County District Court on July 19, 2012. An investigation by Labor’s Benefit Payment Control Section determined that Moorer received a total of $7,219.00 in benefits to which she was not entitled.

Moorer pled guilty and was sentenced to three months in jail, which was suspended for two years pending restitution, and two years of unsupervised probation. She was also required to pay court costs and restitution in the amount of benefits received illegally.

“We at the Alabama Department of Labor want people to know that we are aggressively pursuing cases of unemployment compensation fraud,” said Surtees. “Especially in these economic times, we want to make sure that all who are entitled to benefits receive them. But at the same time, we will not allow those who deliberately try to defraud the system to go unpunished. We are working with local District Attorney Offices to make sure that we can identify and prosecute those individuals who are committing these crimes.”

Suspected unemployment compensation fraud may be reported to the Alabama Department of Labor by calling 1-800-392-8019.

Information Source: Alabama Department of Labor