Rockville Residents Sentenced in COVID-19 Unemployment Insurance Fraud Case

ROCKVILLE, MD News (7/23/2024) – Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced the sentencing of Cindy Thompson Boadu and Kwame Boadu, both of Rockville, Maryland, for their roles in a scheme involving fraudulent unemployment insurance claims during the COVID-19 pandemic. The announcement follows their guilty pleas in February to multiple charges, including Theft by Deception and Identity Fraud.

Senior Judge John Addison Howard of the Baltimore City Circuit Court presided over the case. Both Cindy Thompson Boadu and Kwame Boadu were sentenced to 10 years in prison for the theft counts, with all but 2 months of the sentences suspended. Additionally, each defendant received five years, fully suspended, for each of the identity fraud counts. Judge Howard further mandated that the Boadus complete five years of probation and pay $222,035.34 in restitution to the Maryland Department of Labor.

The fraud, which took place between June and July 2020, involved the filing of at least 38 fraudulent unemployment claims using the personal information of identity theft victims. These claims were part of a broader attempt to exploit the emergency unemployment benefits provided by the federal government during the pandemic. The Maryland Department of Labor distributed over $500,000 in benefits to the defendants via bank debit cards. The Boadus used these cards to spend over $200,000 for personal gain, funds that were intended to support residents of Maryland who had become unemployed due to pandemic-related shutdowns.

Attorney General Brown emphasized the gravity of the crime and its impact on the community. “These individuals took advantage of a system designed to help those in dire need during one of the most challenging times in recent history,” Brown stated. “Their actions diverted critical resources from those who were genuinely suffering due to the pandemic’s economic fallout.”

The investigation revealed that the defendants had listed their own address on the fraudulent claims to receive the debit cards. Upon receipt, they used the cards for personal expenses, exploiting a system meant to provide relief to unemployed Marylanders. The investigation into their activities was thorough and involved several key members of the Attorney General’s office and the Maryland Department of Labor.

Attorney General Brown expressed his gratitude to Assistant Attorneys General Alyn Pearson and Michael Palisano, and investigative auditor Amy Amy for their dedication to the case. He also acknowledged the efforts of the Beacon team at the Division of Unemployment Insurance and the Maryland Department of Labor in uncovering and addressing the fraudulent activities.

The sentencing of Cindy Thompson Boadu and Kwame Boadu follows the earlier sentencing of a third co-defendant, Kelvin Konadu Ntim Boadu, in February. These convictions mark a significant step in holding accountable those who sought to exploit the pandemic for financial gain.

The Maryland Attorney General’s office continues to work diligently to protect the integrity of the state’s unemployment insurance system and ensure that assistance reaches those who need it most. The office also remains committed to pursuing justice for victims of identity theft and other related crimes.

Story by multiple RFHC contributors.