<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4VwIcW_0wPY1NiH00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4VwIcW_0wPY1NiH00" width="600" height="455" ><figcaption>US Currency (File Photo)</figcaption></figure>A Georgia woman has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for her role in a massive scheme that defrauded the state’s unemployment system out of tens of millions of dollars in COVID-19 relief funds.Tyshion Nautese Hicks, 32, of Vienna, was sentenced after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and aggravated identity theft. She and her co-conspirators filed over 5,000 fraudulent unemployment insurance claims, stealing at least $30 million in benefits intended for individuals struggling during the pandemic.The scheme involved creating fictitious employers and fabricating employee lists using stolen identities. Hicks and her co-conspirators obtained personal information from various sources, including paying a hospital employee for access to patient data. They then used this information to file fraudulent claims and have the funds disbursed onto prepaid debit cards.“In one of the largest COVID fraud schemes ever prosecuted, the defendant and her coconspirators filed more than 5,000 fraudulent COVID unemployment insurance claims using stolen identities and unlawfully obtained more than $30 million in benefits,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “In doing so, the defendant and her co-conspirators exploited a program designed to alleviate pandemic-related economic hardship to enrich themselves at the expense of federal taxpayers. Yesterday’s sentence underscores the department’s commitment to investigating and prosecuting those who steal from the public fisc.”This case represents a significant effort by law enforcement agencies to combat fraud related to COVID-19 relief programs. The investigation involved multiple agencies, including the Department of Labor, IRS, Postal Service, Secret Service, and Homeland Security Investigations.“Tyshion Nautese Hicks and her co-conspirators used the stolen PII of unwitting victims to file numerous fraudulent claims for UI benefits with the Georgia Department of Labor,” said Special Agent in Charge Mathew Broadhurst of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG) Southeast Regional Office. “We will continue to work with our federal and state law enforcement partners to safeguard UI benefit programs for those who need them.”“The sentence received by the defendant is the outcome of IRS Criminal Investigation’s commitment to investigating and prosecuting those who attempt to defraud various agencies by filing fraudulent claims using another person’s identifying information,” said Special Agent in Charge Demetrius Hardeman of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Atlanta Field Office.“Postal Inspectors will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to hold individuals accountable for engaging in fraudulent schemes to manipulate the COVID-19 program for their own financial gain,” said Inspector in Charge Tommy D. Coke of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Atlanta Division. “The sentencing should serve as a deterrence and shows that this type of behavior will not be tolerated.”Hicks’ sentence includes three consecutive years for a separate charge of illegal possession of a machine gun. Seven of her co-conspirators have also pleaded guilty or been sentenced in connection with this investigation.Please make a small <a href="https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=KWYEB8X3JQ2MY">donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism</a>. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.Android Users: Download our <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tampafpcom.myapp&amp;hl=en_US&amp;gl=US&amp;pli=1">free app to stay</a> up-to-date on the latest news.Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/tampafp/">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://x.com/tampafreepress">Twitter</a> for breaking news and updates.Sign up: Subscribe to our free <a href="https://www.tampafp.com/newsletter/">newsletter</a> for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.</div></body>

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Georgia Woman Sentenced To 12 Years For Massive $30M Unemployment Fraud Scheme

A Georgia woman has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for her role in a massive scheme that defrauded the state’s unemployment system out of tens of millions of dollars in COVID-19 relief funds. Tyshion Nautese Hicks, 32, of Vienna, was sentenced after pleading guilty to conspiracy to...