A Vista, Calif., man was sentenced Sept. 19 to 57 months in custody for submitting false applications for unemployment benefits to California’s Employment Development Department.
The sentencing of Darris Cotton comes after an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, a Sept. 22 news release said. Cotton caused a loss of $312,640. During the investigation, special agents seized $112,539 in currency and money orders from Cotton.
“This defendant exploited an unemployment insurance program that was intended to be a safety net for workers who suffered financial hardship during a global pandemic,” U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman said in the release. “Crimes like this took money away from those who truly needed it.”
Cotton submitted at least 16 fraudulent applications for unemployment using other people’s names, dates of birth and social security numbers as early as July and August 2020, the release said. He submitted the fraudulent applications using a relative’s address. He used the debit cards he received from the Employment Development Department to purchase postal money orders and luxury items.
“Homeland Security Investigations is committed to investigating all criminal organizations and individuals who commit financial fraud and seek to exploit and profit from government programs that were created to benefit the American people,” Chad Plantz, special agent in charge of HSI San Diego, said in the release. “This sentencing affirms HSI’s and the government’s commitment to bringing these individuals to justice.”
