(WWJ) -- A Novi man has been accused of stealing more than $300,000 from Michigan’s Unemployment Insurance Agency by using the identities of inmates in state and federal prison to illegally file claims for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits.
Terrell Dwayne Mason, 39, allegedly filed more than 40 fraudulent claims, according to a criminal complaint announced by Acting United States Attorney Saima Mohsin.
The complaint alleges Mason used his relationship with a State of Michigan Unemployment Insurance employee to process the fraudulent claims through the state’s unemployment insurance system.
While Mason collected more than $300,000, the complaint estimates he would have claimed more than $800,000 had he not been detected by law enforcement.
Mason, who has been on supervised release after serving a prison sentence for a prior federal conviction for conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, was tracked down and arrested by U.S. Marshals in Oklahoma, on a warrant for allegations of violating the terms of his release.
The United States Department of Labor -- Office of Inspector General and the FBI investigated Mason’s case, which is pending before United States District Judge Robert H. Cleland. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Chasteen.
When the investigation is completed, a determination will be made whether to seek a felony indictment.
Related
