TWC Prosecutes Multiple Persons For Unemployment Fraud

Shannon Spurgeon is fraudulently collecting unemployment benefits from the Texas Workforce Commission...Maybe soon we will see her name on a Press Release like this:

http://www.twc.state.tx.us/ui/bnfts/prosecutiondispo.html

There have been a couple of convictions in Ellis County for unemployment fraud. Just like the Mayor, and the police chief (current and former), your next Shannon. We won't tollerate your illegal activities.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Ann Hatchitt
DATE: November 30, 2007 PHONE: (512) 463-8556
North Central Texas-Area Claimants Prosecuted for Unemployment Insurance Fraud
AUSTIN – The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) warns that criminal prosecutions for Unemployment Insurance (UI) fraud are pursued aggressively. TWC refers cases in which UI benefits are obtained through fraud or deception to local district attorneys offices. TWC has provided evidence resulting in the recent prosecutions of six North Central Texas-area claimants. Restitution orders totaling $34,253 will be returned to the Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund, which TWC administers for the state of Texas.
• Frank D. Allison, 43, received two years deferred adjudication probation from the 40th District Court, Ellis County, on the charge of state jail felony securing execution of document by deception. Allison was ordered to pay $6,888 restitution and to perform 120 hours of community service.
• Lee E. Griffin, 34, received three years deferred adjudication probation from the 380th District Court, Collin County, on the charge of state jail felony theft. Griffin paid full restitution prior to sentencing, and was ordered to pay a $500 fine and to perform 120 hours of community service.
• Keith A. Hopkins, 32, received three years deferred adjudication probation from the 199th District Court, Collin County, on the charge of state jail felony theft. Hopkins paid full restitution of $6,270 before sentencing, and was ordered to pay a $500 fine and to perform 120 hours of community service.
• Larry J. Like, 37, was convicted of state jail felony securing execution of document by deception by the 18th District Court, Johnson County, and was sentenced to five years regular probation. Like was ordered to pay $7,954 restitution and to perform 120 hours of community service.
• Terry Perry, 44, received two years deferred adjudication probation from the 401st District Court, Collin County, on the charge of state jail felony theft. Perry was ordered to pay $6,588 restitution and to perform 120 hours of community service.
• Jimmy D. Street, 43, received three years deferred adjudication probation from the 366th District Court, Collin County, on the charge of state jail felony theft. Street was ordered to pay $6,553 restitution, a $250 fine and $248 in court costs, and to perform 120 hours of community service.
TWC’s Regulatory Integrity Division is charged with detecting and preventing fraud, waste and abuse. The division enforces all regulatory statutes within the jurisdiction of the agency, including Tax, Workforce, Trade Act, Skills Development, Self-Sufficiency, Child Care and all other programs that TWC administers. Prevention, detection and elimination of fraud and abuse in the UI program are top priorities, ensuring that funds are available exclusively to those who meet the eligibility requirements.
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Dallas-Area Claimants Prosecuted for Unemployment Insurance Fraud
AUSTIN – The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) warns that criminal prosecutions for Unemployment Insurance (UI) fraud are pursued aggressively. TWC refers cases in which UI benefits are obtained through fraud or deception to respective local district attorneys offices. TWC has provided evidence resulting in the recent prosecutions of 12 Dallas-area claimants. Restitution orders totaling $64,700 will be returned to the Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund, which TWC administers for the state of Texas.
• Coyle E. Brooks III, 41, received two years deferred adjudication probation from the 292nd District Court, Dallas County, on the charge of state jail felony securing execution of document by deception. Brooks was ordered to pay $3,814 restitution and a $1,000 fine, and to perform 120 hours of community service.
• Thelma M. Fletcher, 60, received one year unsupervised probation from Criminal District Court No. 7, Dallas County, on the charge of Class A misdemeanor theft. Fletcher was ordered to pay $7,260 restitution, a $500 fine and $221 in court costs.
• Roberta A. Hicks, 41, was convicted of Class A misdemeanor securing execution of document by deception by the 194th District Court, Dallas County, and was sentenced to 90 days in jail. Hicks was ordered to pay $500 in court costs.
• Toney A. Johnson, 44, received three years deferred adjudication probation from the 282nd District Court, Dallas County, on the charge of state jail felony securing execution of document by deception. Johnson was ordered to pay $6,868 restitution and a $1,500 fine, and to perform 120 hours of community service.
• Marcus A. Kenney, 41, received three years deferred adjudication probation from the 282nd District Court, Dallas County, on the charge of state jail felony securing execution of document by deception. Kenney was ordered to pay $3,188 restitution, a $1,500 fine, $198 in court costs, and to perform 120 hours of community service.
• Karla D. Littrell, 41, received one year deferred adjudication probation from the 291st District Court, Dallas County, on the charge of Class A misdemeanor securing execution of document by deception. Littrell paid full restitution of $6,300 before sentencing, and was ordered to pay a $500 fine and court costs.
• Dar Oum, 36, received three years deferred adjudication probation from Criminal District Court No. 6, Dallas County, on the charge of state jail felony securing execution of document by deception. Oum was ordered to pay $7,216 restitution, a $1,500 fine and to perform 120 hours of community service.
• Sherreese L. Smith, 38, was convicted of state jail felony securing execution of document by deception by the 265th District Court, Dallas County, and was sentenced to four years regular probation. Smith was ordered to pay $9,307 restitution and a $1,000 fine, and to perform 120 hours of community service.
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Texas Workforce Commission • 512-463-8942 • http://www.texasworkforce.org • Equal Opportunity Employer
Relay Texas • 1-800-735-2989 (TDD) • 1-800-735-2988 (Voice)
2-2-2-2
Fraud
• Shawn L. Taylor, 41, was convicted of state jail felony securing execution of document by deception by the 194th District Court, Dallas County, and was sentenced to five years regular probation. Taylor was ordered to pay $8,000 restitution and a $300 fine.
• Ashonti R. Ward, 31, received two years deferred adjudication probation from the 292nd District Court, Dallas County, on the charge of state jail felony securing execution of document by deception. Ward was ordered to pay $4,801 restitution and a $1,000 fine, and to perform 120 hours of community service.
• Maurice H. Wells Jr., 33, received two years deferred adjudication probation from the 291st District Court, Dallas County, on the charge of state jail felony securing execution of document by deception. Wells was ordered to pay $2,540 restitution, $598 in court costs and to perform 120 hours of community service.
• Latricia Y. Williams, 34, received four years deferred adjudication probation from the 282nd District Court, Dallas County, on the charge of state jail felony securing execution of document by deception. Williams was ordered to pay $5,406 restitution, a $1,000 fine and $211 in court costs.
TWC’s Regulatory Integrity Division is charged with detecting and preventing fraud, waste and abuse. The division enforces all regulatory statutes within the jurisdiction of the agency, including Tax, Workforce, Trade Act, Skills Development, Self-Sufficiency, Child Care and all other programs that TWC administers. Prevention, detection and elimination of fraud and abuse in the UI program are top priorities, ensuring that funds are available exclusively to those who meet the eligibility requirements.
TWC administers UI benefits to workers who become unemployed through no fault of their own and are actively seeking work. TWC regularly cross matches UI claims with employer wage reports and other databases to detect possible UI fraud. If TWC discovers that claimants have received UI benefits through fraudulent applications, the agency seeks immediate reimbursement of overpayments. Examples of UI fraud include giving false information and failure to report self-employment or other earnings while receiving UI benefits.
To report suspected UI fraud, call the TWC Fraud and Program Abuse Hotline at 800-252-3642. For monthly updates on fraud convictions, see TWC’s Web site at http://www.twc.state.tx.us/ui/bnfts/prosecutiondispo.html.