NEW CITY – Rockland County, state and federal authorities have announced the arrests of 25 people in a scheme to rip off the state Department of Labor’s unemployment insurance benefits program of over $160,000 during a five-year period from 2010 to 2015.
According to the criminal charges, the defendants falsified documents by applying for and receiving benefits, when, in fact, they were living in the Dominican Republic and were not entitled to receive those benefits. They allegedly applied over the Internet or by phone, while falsely claiming to be living in New York.
The defendants are charged with grand larceny as a felony and could face up to seven years in prison if convicted.
Rockland County District Attorney Thomas Zugibe said those benefits “are a vital lifeline to those who lose their jobs,” and his office will continue to seek out offenders.
Participating in the investigation and arrests were the DA’s office, state Department of Labor and federal Office of Immigration and customs Enforcement of Homeland Security Investigation.
