Texas Workforce Commission
Published: 06-26-07
Published: 06-26-07
AUSTIN ¬– The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) warns that criminal prosecutions for Unemployment Insurance (UI) fraud are being pursued aggressively. During the first quarter of 2007 four Central Texas-area claimants were prosecuted for fraud with restitution ordered in these prosecutions totaling $23809. The Central Texas-area claimants are among 51 prosecuted for fraud statewide with restitution ordered totaling $295937 statewide for the Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund.
Caldwell County
• Levander West Jr. 37 of Caldwell County received five years deferred adjudication probation on the charge of state jail felony theft. West was ordered to pay $6265 restitution and pay a $300 fine and to perform 120 hours community service.
• Levander West Jr. 37 of Caldwell County received five years deferred adjudication probation on the charge of state jail felony theft. West was ordered to pay $6265 restitution and pay a $300 fine and to perform 120 hours community service.
Hays County
• Debra A. Guerra 32 of Hays County received five years deferred adjudication probation on the charge of state jail felony theft. Guerra was ordered to pay $7635 restitution a $750 fine and $288 court costs and to perform 250 hours community service.
• Debra A. Guerra 32 of Hays County received five years deferred adjudication probation on the charge of state jail felony theft. Guerra was ordered to pay $7635 restitution a $750 fine and $288 court costs and to perform 250 hours community service.
Travis County
• Patrick L. Caldwell 46 of Travis County received five years deferred adjudication probation on the charge of state jail felony securing execution of document by deception. Caldwell was ordered to pay $2342 restitution and to perform 250 hours community service.
• Patrick L. Caldwell 46 of Travis County received five years deferred adjudication probation on the charge of state jail felony securing execution of document by deception. Caldwell was ordered to pay $2342 restitution and to perform 250 hours community service.
Williamson County
• Angela F. Walton 50 of Williamson County received three years deferred adjudication probation on the charge of state jail felony securing execution of document by deception. Walton was ordered to pay $7567 restitution and a $2500 fine and to perform 300 hours community service.
• Angela F. Walton 50 of Williamson County received three years deferred adjudication probation on the charge of state jail felony securing execution of document by deception. Walton was ordered to pay $7567 restitution and a $2500 fine and to perform 300 hours community service.
TWC enforces all regulatory statutes within the jurisdiction of the agency including UI Tax Workforce Trade Act Skills Development Self-Sufficiency Child Care and all other programs TWC administers. TWC has made prevention detection and elimination of fraud and abuse a priority 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. Through its Fraud Detection Department 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.
To learn about TWC’s fraud initiatives or how to report it visit the TWC Web site at www.texasworkforce.org and select “Report Fraud.” Anyone wishing to report suspected program abuse waste or fraud related to UI or any other TWC program may e-mail twc.fraud@twc.state.tx.us. Callers who wish to remain anonymous may use the toll-free TWC Fraud and Abuse Hotline – (800) 252-3642.
Monthly updates on fraud convictions are available on TWC’s Web site at http://www.twc.state.tx.us/ui/bnfts/prosecutiondispo.html.
