Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr., U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan | Department of Justice
A Detroit resident, Tauheed Salik Wilder, pleaded guilty on Apr. 13 to one count of wire fraud in connection with a large-scale unemployment insurance and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) fraud scheme, according to United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr.
Wilder admitted in court that he filed hundreds of false claims for unemployment insurance benefits using the identities of others without their consent across multiple states, including Michigan and California. He also arranged for ATM cards issued in victims' names to be used for withdrawing the illegally obtained funds. The total loss from these actions amounted to $1.8 million in unemployment benefit losses. Additionally, Wilder accepted responsibility for two fraudulent PPP loans he applied for and received under his own name, totaling approximately $84,000. The combined losses from his activities reached about $1.9 million.
U.S. Attorney Gorgon said, “Fraud against the government is itself a pandemic. One that hurts the American taxpayer and undermines the strength of our economy. Each of these prosecutions is a dose of justice.”
Anthony P. D’Esposito, Inspector General at the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, commented on the plea: “Tauheed Wilder’s guilty plea sends a clear message: the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General will relentlessly pursue those who steal from taxpayers through fraudulent unemployment insurance claims. Protecting the integrity of these programs for American workers in need remains one of our highest priorities... we are going on offense against fraud—tracking down bad actors who try to game the system and line their pockets at taxpayers’ expense.”
Karen Wingerd, Special Agent in Charge at IRS Criminal Investigation's Detroit Field Office said: “This guilty plea is an important victory for America’s taxpayers who play by the rules and don’t use assistance programs as a cash slush fund... For those still hiding in this shadowy world, know that we will find you and hold you fully accountable.” Jason Palmer, Director at Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency added: “Mr. Wilder joins a growing list of fraudsters who thought they could get away with fleecing the unemployment insurance program in Michigan... He may have thought he got away with it, but in the end he and other bad actors will learn the Unemployment Insurance Agency will come after them and hold them accountable for their crimes.”
Wilder faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment when sentenced by Judge Brandy R. McMillion on July 30.
The case was investigated by special agents from several agencies including DOL-OIG, IRS-CI, and Michigan UIA; prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Particka.
The Department of Justice has established its National Fraud Enforcement Division dedicated to investigating misuse or theft involving taxpayer dollars—a mission supported by President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud.
