LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — A federal grand jury has indicted a Las Vegas man for an alleged fraud scheme to steal more than $500,000 in COVID-19 unemployment benefits.
The suspect, Craig Renard Gibson, is charged with five counts of bank fraud, one count of illegal transactions with access devices and four counts of aggravated identity theft, according to federal prosecutors.
Court documents show Gibson was allegedly one of several individuals between August 2020 and December 2020 who had stolen debit cards containing unemployment insurance benefits from the Nevada Department of Employment, Training, and Rehabilitation and the California Employment Development Department.
Prosecutors say Gibson and others "illegally withdrew over $500,000 in funds from these cards."
RELATED | 3 men sentenced for stealing over $520K in COVID unemployment benefits
“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.
Gibson faces up to 162 years in prison and a fine of $5.25 million if he is convicted.
A jury trial has been set for October 20.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Justice Department’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 1-866- 720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdfdisaster-complaint-form.
-
Suspect in fatal west Las Vegas stabbing took 'sherm' days before attack
Channel 13 obtained an arrest report that provides new details on the fatal stabbing that took place in west Las Vegas on Thursday, Dec. 18.
Fourth Metro officer arrested and facing domestic battery charges
Officer Gary Moody was booked into the Clark County jail on a charge of domestic battery and a charge of dissuading a person from reporting a crime.
LVMPD investigates weekend fatal stabbing in southern valley
It happened around 3:15 a.m. on Dec. 21 in the 300 block of East Silverado Ranch Boulevard, according to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
Las Vegas police officer facing domestic battery charges
A Metro police officer with a championship boxing background is now facing domestic battery charges. Melinda Amillia Cooper is set to appear in court tomorrow morning.
