TWC
Published: 01-02-09
AUSTIN – Carolyn F. Kelly of Garland was convicted of theft this month as the result of an investigation by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) U.S. Marshall’s Fugitive Task Force and the U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General’s Labor Racketeering and Fraud Investigations Office.
From approximately March 2007 through January 2008 Kelly a youth services personal representative with the North Texas Human Resource Group (NTHRG) in Plano a former contractor of the North Central Texas Workforce Board manipulated the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) incentive gift cards receipts by forging the youth participants’ names and requesting additional gift cards for her personal use. The investigation determined Kelly stole WIA incentive gift cards.
On December 11 2008 Kelly received two years probation from the 380th Judicial District Court on the charge of theft. She was ordered to make $1400 restitution pay a $500 fine and perform 80 hours of community service.
TWC’s Regulatory Integrity Division detects and prevents fraud waste and abuse throughout the agency’s programs. 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 TWC administers. Prevention detection and elimination of fraud and abuse in the Unemployment Insurance (UI) program are top priorities ensuring that funds are available exclusively to those who meet the eligibility requirements.
Through its Fraud Detection Unit located within the Regulatory Integrity Division TWC regularly cross matches UI claims with employer wage reports and other databases to detect possible UI fraud. When 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.
Once fraud is detected criminal charges including felony charges if supported by the facts are pursued with the appropriate state district attorney offices. Conviction may result in incarceration and/or restitution and may invoke additional charges for court costs and fines and require community service. All recovered funds are returned to the Texas Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund. For monthly updates on fraud convictions see TWC’s Web site at http://www.twc.state.tx.us/ui/bnfts/prosecutiondispo.html.
