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.
-
Investigation concludes: LVMPD arrests one involved in illegal fencing operation
A three-month long investigation into an illegal fencing operation has come to an end with the arrest of Javier Becerril-Solis, according to LVMPD.
One dead after vehicle collision, driver arrested for DUI-related charges
The 107th traffic-related fatality in LVMPD's jurisdiction for 2025 was recorded Saturday morning after a passenger was killed in a "vehicle versus fixed object" collision, police shared.
NDOC: Vegas man arrested for supplying drugs that contributed to inmate deaths
Hoza Del Collins was arrested when investigators served a warrant at his home in Las Vegas and discovered "synthetic substances believed to be used in the creation of synthetic drugs.
Documents reveal what led to stabbing at All American Park
Police arrested 57-year-old Quenton Marselles Brown on a charge of attempted murder. Brown had his initial appearance before a judge at 1:30 p.m. Thursday.
