Over the past week two former United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) employees have been sentenced for unemployment insurance fraud. Carmen Brown, also known as Carmen Smith, 41, of Indianapolis, and Terri Wardell, 48, of Fishers, both pled guilty to unemployment insurance fraud.
The two filed for and received unemployment insurance benefits while working full-time for the IRS. Smith illegally received nearly $14,000 in benefits. Wardell fraudulently collected over $18,000.
These convictions, as well as those and other arrests listed below are the culmination of an ongoing Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) investigation into IRS workers based in Indiana filing for and receiving unemployment insurance benefits while working full-time. The investigation began in the spring of 2012 when the IRS informed DWD personnel several employees were receiving benefits while working for the federal agency.
DWD receives wage reports and new hire data from employers documenting who is employed and receiving compensation. DWD uses this information to ensure people are not collecting unemployment insurance benefits while working. Through these statements, IRS personnel were able to determine some of their Indiana-based employees were working full-time while collecting benefits and notified DWD investigators of the activity.
Other former IRS employees targeted in the investigation include:
- Tracey Lewis, Indianapolis, 38, allegedly received $8,185.50
- Angela Milton, Avon, 31, allegedly received $39,611.25
- Je-Taun Finch, Indianapolis, 37, fraudulently received $8,787.25 – sentenced 3/8/13 to three years probation and ordered to pay restitution
- Lorita Hiter, Indianapolis, 37, fraudulently received $4,581.75 – sentenced 3/13/13 to two years probation and ordered to pay restitution
- Elizabeth Amos, Indianapolis, 45 fraudulently received $5,278.75 – sentenced 3/11/13 to two years probation and ordered to pay restitution
- Sheila Hill, Indianapolis, 33, fraudulently received $14,296.25 – sentenced 3/22/13 to three years probation and ordered to pay restitution
- Andrea Jackson, Indianapolis, 28, fraudulently received $16,182.00 – still to be sentenced
“It does not matter who you are or who you work for, we work diligently to make sure those who take funds they are not eligible for, are held accountable”, said Scott B. Sanders, commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. “These funds are for Hoosiers truly in need and we take our job safeguarding these funds very seriously.”
You can also help combat unemployment insurance fraud and abuse by reporting it online at in.gov/dwd/fraud. Your efforts will help ensure tax dollars are spent wisely and unemployment insurance benefits are only paid to people who are eligible to receive them. You do not need to provide your name or any other identifying information in order to file a complaint in regards to unemployment insurance fraud.
