Jason M. Frierson U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of Nevada
A Las Vegas resident, Craig Renard Gibson, appeared in court on allegations of defrauding the Nevada Department of Employment, Training, and Rehabilitation (DETR) and the California Employment Development Department (EDD). The scheme reportedly involved stealing $500,830 in unemployment benefits intended for individuals affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
A federal grand jury indicted Gibson on five counts of bank fraud, one count of illegal transactions with access devices, and four counts of aggravated identity theft. United States Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Albregts has scheduled a jury trial for October 20, 2025, before United States District Judge Richard F. Boulware.
“An important part of the mission of the Office of Inspector General is to investigate allegations of fraud involving the unemployment insurance program. This collaborative investigative effort with our local, state, and federal partners reaffirms our commitment to investigate these types of allegations,” said Quentin Heiden, Special Agent-in-Charge, Western Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General.
Court documents allege that from August 26 to December 9, 2020, Gibson and others possessed debit cards issued in other people’s names containing unemployment insurance benefits from DETR and EDD. They allegedly withdrew over $500,000 using these cards.
If convicted on all charges, Gibson could face up to 162 years in prison and a fine totaling $5.25 million. Sentencing would be determined by a federal district court judge following consideration of U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada and Special Agent-in-Charge Quentin Heiden announced the charges.
The investigation was conducted by both the Department of Labor-OIG and Department of Homeland Security-OIG. Assistant United States Attorney Mina Chang is prosecuting the case.
The public is encouraged to report information about suspected COVID-19-related fraud through the Justice Department’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline or its online complaint form at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
It is noted that an indictment is only an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
