Governor Cuomo Announces Record High Unemployment Insurance
Fraud Benefits Recoveries
Orange County District Attorney’s Office 8th out of 62 District Attorney Offices in New York State in Restitution Recoveries on Unemployment Fraud Cases in 2017
District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced on February 13, 2018, that based on information from the Governor’s Office, in 2017, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office was the eighth-highest District Attorney’s Office in New York State in terms of the amount of funds recovered in fraudulently obtained Unemployment Insurance Benefits cases. In 2017, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office recovered more than $187,000.00. That statistic is remarkable, in that Orange County is the twelfth-largest county, by population, in New York. There are sixty-two counties in New York State. Based on information released today by the Governor’s Office, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office exceeded the recoveries achieved by several counties with much larger populations.
A copy of the press release issued today by Governor’s Office pertaining to recoveries of fraudulently obtained Unemployment Insurance Benefits is attached.
In Orange County most unemployment insurance fraud investigations are initially referred by the New York State Department of Labor to the New York State Police. The New York State Police conduct their investigation in consultation with the District Attorney’s Office, which offers advice and guidance as to what types of additional evidence is needed to enhance the cases. After the cases are presented to the District Attorney’s Office, the assigned Assistant District Attorney works closely with investigators from the New York State Department of Labor. The collaborative efforts of all three agencies often result in viable prosecutions. Obtaining restitution of fraudulently obtained benefits is a major goal in these prosecutions. The Orange County District Attorney’s Office has prioritized crimes which defraud the government. Unemployment insurance fraud cases are no exception, and the cases are handled under the auspices of the designated Crimes Against Revenue Program (“CARP”) Assistant District Attorney.
“My office is dedicated to combating frauds that effect taxpayers’ wallets, such as unemployment insurance fraud,” said District Attorney David M. Hoovler. “We have had remarkable success in recovering public money that has been taken through fraud, and pledge to continue those efforts. Fraud prosecutions are most successful when agencies work collaboratively with each other. Whether it is working with the New York State Police and New York State Department of Labor to prosecute unemployment insurance fraud crimes, or working with the Department of Social Services and Orange County Sheriff’s Office to combat welfare fraud, cooperation between agencies has been essential to the outstanding results we have had so far. I thank the New York State Police and the New York State Department of Labor for all the assistance they have provided to our office in the investigation and prosecution of unemployment insurance fraud cases.”