U.S. District Judge Julie R. Rubin sentenced Tiia Woods, a resident of Jacksonville, Florida, to a prison term of 74 months followed by three years of supervised release. The sentencing is related to Woods's involvement in orchestrating an unemployment insurance (UI) fraud scheme that resulted in losses of approximately $3,296,725.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, Kelly O. Hayes. The sentencing was also supported by Troy W. Springer, Special Agent in Charge from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and William J. DelBagno, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Baltimore Field Office.
Woods pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy from June 2020 to May 2021, during which she provided false information to claim UI benefits from the Maryland Department of Labor. The scheme exploited benefits meant for those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Woods coordinated with Tyshawna Davis and Devante Smith, instructing them on how to file the claims and how to distribute the obtained funds. Smith was previously sentenced to 54 months in prison for his involvement in the scheme.
The fraud took advantage of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed in March 2020. This Act allowed for increased UI benefits to support people impacted by the pandemic, including independent contractors and self-employed individuals.
The District of Maryland Strike Force, one of five similar task forces in the United States, focuses on large-scale pandemic relief fraud, including that related to the CARES Act. These task forces are part of an interagency law enforcement effort to prosecute COVID-19-related fraud.
The Department of Justice has provided resources for reporting attempted COVID-19 fraud through its National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline.
Kelly O. Hayes praised the collaboration between the DOL-OIG, FBI, and Bank of America’s fraud detection team. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Evelyn Lombardo Cusson and Harry M. Gruber prosecuted the case.
Further information on pandemic-related responses and reporting fraud can be found on the Department of Justice’s website.
