A man from Belen, New Mexico, has pleaded guilty to federal charges related to a scheme involving fraudulent unemployment insurance claims during the COVID-19 pandemic. Joseph Anthony Martinez, 44, admitted in court that he submitted 21 false applications for unemployment benefits through the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions between June 18, 2020, and October 15, 2021.
Court documents state that Martinez used his own name, variations of his name, and stolen identities to file these claims. He provided false employment information and opened unauthorized bank accounts in other people's names to collect more than $50,000 in fraudulent payments.
Martinez pleaded guilty to two counts of mail fraud and one count of theft of government property. He faces up to 20 years in prison at sentencing and will be subject to one year of supervised release after serving his sentence.
Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison announced the plea agreement. "The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General investigated this case with assistance from NM Workforce Solutions and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office. Deputy U.S. Attorney Kimberly A. Brawley is prosecuting the case."
The press release was issued on November 13 following the conclusion of the federal government shutdown.
