47,500 Fraudulent Unemployment Claims Using Identity Theft Totaling Over $501 MillionAlerted U.S. Attorney and U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector GeneralMaryland Department of Labor Assisting in Investigation of Similar Fraud Cases
In States Across the CountryGovernor Provides Brief COVID-19 Update, Stresses ‘Safer at Home’ Public Health Guidance
In States Across the CountryGovernor Provides Brief COVID-19 Update, Stresses ‘Safer at Home’ Public Health Guidance
ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan today announced that the State of Maryland has uncovered a massive and sophisticated criminal enterprise involving more than 47,500 fraudulent unemployment insurance claims in Maryland and totaling over $501 million. The governor was joined for today’s announcement by Maryland Department of Labor Secretary Tiffany Robinson and Special Agent Derek Pickle from the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG).
Maryland’s swift and decisive actions to notify federal authorities and expose this illegal scheme helped shed light on related fraudulent criminal activity in other states across the country. The Maryland Department of Labor continues to coordinate on the ongoing investigation with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the DOL-OIG.
“Thanks to the efforts of our Labor Department, not only did we identify the fraudulent activity here in Maryland and save the taxpayers half a billion dollars, but we also helped federal authorities uncover related illegal activity in states across the country,” said Governor Hogan. “This criminal enterprise seeking to take advantage of a global pandemic to steal hundreds of millions—perhaps billions—of dollars from taxpayers is despicable. We will continue to work with both the U.S. Attorney and the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General on this ongoing investigation, both here in Maryland and in other states across the country, to do whatever it takes to ensure the perpetrators are apprehended and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
“My office and the entire law enforcement community are committed to bringing to justice fraudsters who are preying on citizens during this unprecedented public health crisis by using their stolen personal information to fraudulently attempt to obtain unemployment benefits,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur. “We are grateful for our partnership with the State of Maryland in stopping unemployment fraud and believe that this joint federal-state partnership will continue to bear fruit. We will continue to work together to prevent this abuse as well as continue our outreach efforts to make the public aware of COVID-19 scams and frauds. I urge citizens to remain vigilant and to report suspicious activity or fraudulent use of their personal information.”
“Today’s announcement results from our strong partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the State of Maryland, and demonstrates our joint commitment to combating fraud in the Unemployment Insurance program,” said Derek Pickle, Special Agent-in-Charge, Washington Region, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General. “The OIG will continue to work closely with our law enforcement and state workforce agency partners to aggressively pursue criminals who choose to enrich themselves without regard for taxpayers and individuals who truly need assistance.”
The Maryland Department of Labor is now reporting the following:
- Over $4.3 billion in CARES Act and regular unemployment insurance benefits payments have been paid out.
- 96.4% of all claims have been successfully processed.
- The proportion of pending cases (3.6%) is below pre-pandemic levels.
COVID-19 UPDATES: In the second part of his press conference, Governor Hogan provided a number of COVID-19 updates to Marylanders. On Tuesday, he met with the Maryland Coronavirus Recovery Team of doctors, public health experts, scientists, business, and labor leaders, and held an emergency meeting of the full Cabinet.
- Bars and Enforcement. The governor continued to stress the importance of local leaders enforcing public health requirements in bars and restaurants. State health officials are strongly advising that young people should avoid crowded bars, house parties, and large gatherings of any kind. Any Marylanders who have engaged in this type of behavior should immediately get tested for COVID-19.
- Out-of-State Travel. State health officials are strongly advising that Marylanders refrain from traveling to areas that are experiencing rapidly escalating numbers. Any Marylander who has traveled to, or is returning from travel out of state, especially from any states that are experiencing spiking numbers should immediately get tested.
- Safer At Home. The governor continues to advise Marylanders to heed all state and local public health guidance:
- All Marylanders are still safer at home, particularly older and more vulnerable populations.
- Employers should continue to encourage telework for their employees whenever possible.
- Marylanders should not use public transportation unless it is absolutely necessary.
- Everyone should continue wearing masks or face coverings in public areas, businesses, and on public transportation.
- Marylanders should continue practicing physical distancing, staying six feet apart when possible, and should avoid all large gatherings.
- Schools. Local jurisdictions continue to submit their proposed reopening plans for Maryland public schools to the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) ahead of the August 14 deadline. MSDE will institute protocols that follow CDC guidance, take into account the input of public health experts, and provide flexibility to local school systems. State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Karen Salmon will provide an update to Marylanders next week.
- Testing. While a number of states have experienced testing shortages, Maryland continues to expand its testing capacity, with a strategic stockpile of tests and a long-term strategy. Maryland has more than 220 testing sites available across the state. Visitcovidtest.maryland.gov to find a site that is convenient for you.
My father always said that anything the government got involved with would get screwed up. Governments always hire people that can't get real jobs.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think is going to happen with this mail-in vote shit? This was dreamed up by Hoggan and people like him (Schummer,Pelosi, Cuomo). They say it's safe yet every whipstich they stumble across and when it leaks out (the only reason it's exposed) they claim a stumble-bum victory.
ReplyDeleteIf Trump should get beat it'll be because of criminal treachery like this perpetrated by the Dims. After all the most reliable employees in Government (Post Office) will be handling the ballots when in fact they haven't had a year in the last thirty when they made one cent and rely on Fed money hand-outs.
Now Hoggan wants to be in charge. If this happens the St. of Md. the ballgame is over for the taxpayers.
Where are the consequences and penalties for people falsely claiming they were fired or laid off to try to collect benefits? If there were consequences they would be a lot less backlog and a lot more taxpayer money sitting in the account today. There are hotlines to turn in your neighbors and businesses who are not complying with recommendations from the CDC and our health department. Where is the hotline to turn in people who are fraudulently getting unemployment benefits? Please don’t reply with call the unemployment or labor department they don’t answer.
ReplyDeleteFrosh isn't doing his job as usual. He is too busy trying to hurt the President and not doing his job. Frosh should resign
ReplyDeleteWhat does knuckle-head Biden know about any kind of science? If he can breathe on his own it's a major accomplishment.
ReplyDeleteThis has been going on for year's. Just look at who works there. Enough said. Go to the unemployment. Same thing. Told me I couldn't collect when I collected 6 years before when getting layed off for work. But three Black's Vin front of me sailed through. They haven't worked in year's. I had to have her manager do her job. Lazy stupid twitt.
ReplyDeleteTry going to social security office. One Would think it was filled with future retires - NOT. Young people signing up for social security disability. Healthy young people we ith children. That situation will be the strain and death of social security today. It's coming.
DeleteWhile they are investigating fraud, look into where my 12 big ones are. Never received any stimulus. But they don’t have sense enough to tell me where it is.
ReplyDeleteWhat about mail in voting ? Naw, can't be any fraud or abuse there...
ReplyDeleteFlorida has mail in voting which is great for me but what an opportunity for fraud. When I lived in Fruitland I received to MD State ballots. I returned one to the Voting Pill office. Well they took that immediately like it was a hot potato that need to be put away from harm. Never really found out what that was all about.
DeleteYAWN!! HO! HUM!!
ReplyDeleteSomeone please tell fat Lockdown Larry to go away!
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile AG Frosh was probably jousting with windmills and threatening to sue them along with other Soros gang AGs.
Maryland used to be the place to live. Teachers were paid well and jobs ere in high demand. Road were beautiful - what happened -Hogan - RINO. We can't let this jerk run for President ðŸ˜
ReplyDeleteUmm. Isn't that the amount he paid his in-laws for masks??
ReplyDeleteWhy wasn't anyone NAMED?
ReplyDeleteWHO is stealing 500 MILLION?? And, WHO is charged and WHO is going to jail.
The old journalistic maxim of "who, what, where, when, and how" are gone. Replaced by the BS we have to watch and read now. Politicians patting themselves on the back. Police giving each other awards and accolades.
WHO is trying to steal half a billion dollars? Apparently, it is not that important.
Get a DUI and your name and picture are posted everywhere.
Steal (or TRY to steal) a half a billion and you get an ANONYMOUS write-up?
What? Were the Clinton's involved?
Keep cheering.
You mean to tell me that Hogan permitted 47,500 Fraudulent Unemployment Claims Using Identity Theft Totaling Over $501 Million while legitimate claimants were put on perpetual hold?!?!?!!? This guy criticizes Trump? Cmon.....
ReplyDelete501 million? who is watching the ship? Who is going to be fired?
ReplyDeleteHogan wants to be President and he cannot even manage the unemployment office.
We stay close and he is throwing money out the window in Annapolis.
They even get paid to screw up things.
I wonder how he wants it deducted from his pay?