Florida Man’s $2.3 Million COVID Unemployment Fraud in Maryland Lands Him in Federal Prison

Residents in Maryland and California will see justice served after a Florida man was sentenced to more than six years in federal prison for orchestrating a scheme that defrauded state unemployment systems out of millions in pandemic relief funds. The case highlights ongoing efforts by federal authorities to crack down on large-scale COVID-19 fraud and recover stolen taxpayer dollars.

David Godin, 34, of Miami, Florida, was sentenced to 78 months in prison and ordered to pay over $2.2 million in combined restitution and forfeiture for his role in a scheme targeting the Maryland Department of Labor and California’s Employment Development Department. Using stolen identities, fake email addresses, and technology to mask his location, Godin filed at least 140 fraudulent unemployment claims between June 2020 and November 2023.

The fraudulent claims netted Godin over $1 million in actual payouts, part of more than $2.3 million in attempted theft. He used the funds to fund a lavish lifestyle, purchasing luxury items including high-end watches and sports cars. He even documented his purchases online, showcasing stacks of cash and expensive goods obtained through the scheme.

The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland, working with agents from the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General and the IRS Criminal Investigation Division. It falls under the purview of the Department of Justice’s COVID-19 Strike Force, which focuses on identifying and prosecuting large-scale fraud related to pandemic relief programs like the CARES Act.

Residents are encouraged to report suspected fraud to the National Center for Disaster Fraud, as federal authorities continue efforts to recover stolen funds and hold offenders accountable.

Article by multiple contributors, based upon information from a press release by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland

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