A Detroit resident, Danielle Moore, has been sentenced to 41 months in prison for her involvement in a scheme to steal unemployment assistance funds. United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. announced the sentencing following Moore's guilty plea to conspiring to commit wire fraud.
Special Agent in Charge Cheyvoryea Gibson of the FBI's Detroit Field Division and Megan Howell, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Great Lakes Region for the U.S. Department of Labor-Office of Inspector General, joined Gorgon in making the announcement.
Moore was sentenced by United States District Judge Susan K. DeClercq. She was previously employed as a claims examiner for the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in spring 2020. Moore admitted to accepting bribes in exchange for processing fraudulent claims, leading to approximately $1,507,057.08 being wrongly disbursed by the State of Michigan.
Alongside her prison sentence, Moore has been ordered to pay restitution equal to the amount fraudulently claimed.
United States Attorney Gorgon emphasized commitment "to prosecuting those who choose to profit through the theft of government funds earmarked for those members of our community who are truly in need."
Cheyvoryea Gibson remarked on Moore’s betrayal of public trust and noted that "the FBI, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue to investigate and hold accountable anyone who chooses to defraud essential relief programs."
Megan Howell highlighted that Moore facilitated at least 40 fraudulent claims for incarcerated individuals using her position and access to sensitive information.
Jason Palmer, Director of Michigan UIA, expressed disappointment over Moore's actions: “Danielle Moore used her insider status to help steal money meant for fellow Michiganders.”
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Timothy J. Wyse and investigated jointly by several agencies including the Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General and FBI’s Detroit Area Public Corruption Task Force.
