Florida Woman Indicted on Federal Charges for COVID-19 Unemployment Fraud Scheme in Maryland

A Miami woman has been indicted on multiple federal charges related to a scheme involving fraudulent unemployment insurance benefits. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland, Tamika Nicole Jones, 33, faces a total of 16 charges, including wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and mail fraud. The indictment was unsealed following her arrest in South Florida.

The charges stem from an alleged scheme to defraud state workforce agencies, including the Maryland Department of Labor, by impersonating individuals to submit fraudulent claims for unemployment benefits. The indictment details that from May 2020 to June 2021, Jones is accused of utilizing victims’ personal identifying information, such as their names, dates of birth, and Social Security Numbers, to file these fraudulent claims. Unemployment insurance, a program designed to offer financial assistance to eligible workers who have lost their jobs, saw expanded eligibility and increased benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic through federal initiatives like the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program, Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation, and the Lost Wages Assistance Program. In Maryland, applicants were required to submit information online, including personal details and self-certification of unemployment for COVID-19-related reasons. The Maryland Department of Labor used this information to determine eligibility and distribute benefits, often via debit card.

If convicted, Tamika Nicole Jones could face significant penalties. The wire fraud and mail fraud charges each carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. Additionally, the seven counts of aggravated identity theft carry a mandatory minimum sentence of two years in prison for each offense, which would be served consecutively to any other sentence imposed. It is important to note that actual sentences are determined by federal district court judges, who consider sentencing guidelines and other legal factors. An indictment is an accusation, and individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

This case is being handled by the District of Maryland Strike Force, one of five such units established nationwide by the U.S. Department of Justice. These strike forces are tasked with investigating and prosecuting fraud related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the CARES Act, which aimed to provide financial relief to Americans impacted by the economic effects of the pandemic. The strike forces focus on large-scale fraud perpetrated by criminal organizations and transnational actors, employing interagency law enforcement efforts and data analysis to identify and prosecute those who have misappropriated pandemic relief funds.

Individuals with information regarding attempted fraud related to COVID-19 are encouraged to report it. Such reports can be made by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or by submitting a complaint through the NCDF Web Complaint Form.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland.

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