Kevin P. Davidson, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama
On May 13, 2025, a federal judge sentenced Brandon Cody Carter, a resident of East Point, Georgia, to 78 months in prison. Carter was involved in filing fraudulent unemployment insurance claims under the CARES Act. The announcement came from Acting United States Attorney Kevin Davidson and Special Agent in Charge Mathew Broadhurst of the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General. Following his imprisonment, Carter will serve three years on supervised release.
The CARES Act and the Families First Coronavirus Response Act expanded unemployment insurance programs starting in March 2020 due to COVID-19. In Alabama, enhanced benefits were available through the Alabama Department of Labor (ADOL).
Court documents reveal that between March and September 2020, Carter conspired with others to submit false unemployment insurance claims to ADOL. He falsely claimed residency in Alabama using aliases and fictitious personal information. Consequently, ADOL issued payments to him via debit cards and direct deposits.
Carter pleaded guilty on January 23, 2025, to conspiracy to commit mail fraud. During the plea hearing, he admitted causing ADOL to disburse $818,304 in fraudulent claims. A restitution amount will be determined later.
“This sentence reflects the seriousness of defrauding programs intended to help those truly in need during a national crisis,” said Acting United States Attorney Davidson. “Brandon Carter exploited a system designed to provide relief to families facing unprecedented hardship."
Special Agent Broadhurst added: “Brandon Carter defrauded the Alabama Department of Labor by filing numerous false claims for unemployment insurance benefits... We will continue to work closely with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our other law enforcement partners."
The investigation involved several agencies including the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General and Alabama Department of Labor among others. Assistant United States Attorney Joel Feil prosecuted the case.
Information about attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can be reported via the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline or its web complaint form.
