LOS ANGELES (KNX) – Federal officials said a woman serving life in prison for murder led a group of people in a $2 million scheme involving COVID-19 unemployment money.
On Tuesday, officials said five people were charged in the scheme.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California said Natalie Le Demola, 37, her close associate Carleisha Neosha Plummer, 32, and 11 others were charged in a 39-count indictment with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud.
The indictment accuses the group of using stolen identities to apply for and receive unemployment benefits from the California Employment Development Department in 2020.
“The conspiracy count alleges 150 overt acts, including illegally obtaining PII, some of which was provided by an unnamed prison official employed by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation,” federal authorities said.
Le Demola, who officials said was the group’s ringleader, is currently serving a life sentence for first-degree murder. Plummer had been on parole since July 2020. She was arrested Tuesday.
The others named in the indictment are:
· Khanshanda King, 31, of Los Angeles, who is still being sought.
· Cleshay Johnson II, 28, of Los Angeles, who is still being sought.
· James Antonio Johnson, who has several aliases including “Big Dawg Niddy,” 31, of Los Angeles, in custody in a Los Angeles County jail.
· Felicite Aleisha King, 41, of Los Angeles, who is still being sought.
· Shafequah Lynete Mitchell, 33, of Los Angeles, traveling outside of California.
· Loresha Shamone Davis, 31, of Moreno Valley, who was arrested Tuesday.
· Porsha Latrice Johnson, 32, of Lynwood, who was arrested Tuesday.
· Donisha Lashawn Pace, 38, of South Los Angeles, who was arrested Tuesday.
· Dominique Charmone Martin, 37, of Yucaipa, who is still being sought.
· Mykara Destiny Robertson, 23, of Los Angeles, who is still being sought.
· Amber Jane Wade, 34, of Palmdale, who was arrested Tuesday.
Le Demola will be taken to federal court to face the charges in the case, officials said.
Follow KNX News 97.1 FM
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
Related
Related
Related
