MONTGOMERY – Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington announced today that the Department has successfully prosecuted several Alabamians for unemployment compensation fraud. The following individuals were charged with a misdemeanor violation of the Alabama Unemployment Compensation Law by making false statements in claims for benefits:
- Wendell Anglin, Jr., of Eufaula, was tried in Barbour County District Court on December 4, 2018. An investigation by Labor’s Benefit Payment Control Section determined that Anglin received a total of $1,753 in benefits to which he was not entitled.
Anglin pled guilty and was sentenced to one year in jail, which was suspended, and one year of unsupervised probation. He was ordered to pay a victim’s assessment fee and restitution in the amount of benefits received illegally.
- Antonio D. Warren, of Midland, was tried in Dale County Circuit Court on February 4, 2019. An investigation by Labor’s Benefit Payment Control Section determined that Warren received a total of $2,563 in benefits to which he was not entitled.
Warren pled guilty and was sentenced to one year in jail, which was suspended, and given two years of supervised probation. He was also ordered to pay a victim’s assessment fee, court costs, and restitution in the amount of benefits received illegally.
- Jameson Harris, of Fort Deposit, was tried in Lowndes County District Court on February 26, 2019. An investigation by Labor’s Benefit Payment Control Section determined that Harris received a total of $1,340 in benefits to which he was not entitled.
Harris pled guilty and had already repaid the amount of benefits received illegally. He was also ordered to pay a victim’s assessment fee and court costs.
- Arthur Murray, of Montgomery, was tried in Montgomery County Circuit Court on January 10, 2019. An investigation by Labor’s Benefit Payment Control Section determined that Murray received a total of $4,535 in benefits to which he was not entitled.
Murray was placed in a pre-trial diversion program and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of benefits received illegally.
- Cedric Johnson, of Northport, was tried in Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court on January 23, 2019. An investigation by Labor’s Benefit Payment Control Section determined that Johnson received a total of $1,523 in benefits to which he was not entitled.
Johnson pled guilty and was sentenced to one year in jail, which was suspended, and given two years of supervised probation. He was also ordered to pay court costs, and restitution in the amount of benefits received illegally.
The following individuals were charged with Theft of Property, First Degree:
- John S. Hicks, Jr., of Bremen, was tried in Cullman County Circuit Court on January 4, 2019. An investigation by Labor’s Benefit Payment Control Section determined that Hicks received a total of $4,800 in benefits to which he was not entitled.
Hicks pled guilty, and was sentenced to 15 months in jail, which was suspended, and given 15 months of supervised probation. He was also ordered to pay court costs, and restitution in the amount of benefits received illegally.
- Candace L. Wallace, of Huntsville, was tried in Madison County Circuit Court on January 18, 2019. An investigation by Labor’s Benefit Payment Control Section determined that Wallace received a total of $3,083 in benefits to which she was not entitled.
Wallace pled guilty to Theft by Deception, 1st degree, and was sentenced to two years in jail, which was suspended, and given two years of unsupervised probation. She was also ordered to pay a victim’s assessment fee, court costs, and restitution in the amount of benefits received illegally.
- Lionel R. James, of Mobile, was tried in Mobile County Circuit Court on November 8, 2018. An investigation by Labor’s Benefit Payment Control Section determined that James received a total of $3,367 in benefits to which he was not entitled.
James pled guilty to Theft of Property 4th degree and was sentenced to one year in jail, which was suspended, and given two years of supervised probation. He was also ordered to pay court costs and restitution in the amount of benefits received illegally.
- Corey S. Cato, of Decatur, was tried in Morgan County Circuit Court on February 7, 2019. An investigation by Labor’s Benefit Payment Control Section determined that Cato received a total of $3,410 in benefits to which he was not entitled.
Cato pled guilty to an amended charge of Theft of Property, 4th Degree, and was sentenced to one year in jail, which was suspended for two years, and given two years of supervised probation. He was also 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.
Employers may find more information regarding reporting new hires at http://www.labor.alabama.gov/
Media Release/Tara Hutchison/The Alabama Department of Labor
