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.
-
Armed carjacking leads to officer-involved shooting, LVMPD shares new details
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department has shared that they are investigating a shooting in Spring Valley.
Suspect in fatal 12-car crash makes first court appearance facing murder charges
DA Steve Wolfson said his office was preparing to file a criminal complaint charging 19-year-old Jose Gutierrez with two counts of open murder, one count of attempted murder and other felonies.
Woman found shot in car identified, LVMPD shares details of suspect's arrest
Channel 13 has learned more regarding a woman found dead in a car near a Clark County fire station. Police have provided probable cause for the suspect's arrest through a report we obtained.
Three suspects identified in carjacking chase from Laughlin to Henderson
Three suspects identified in carjacking case that prompted Nevada State University lockdown. All face multiple charges including robbery with deadly weapon.
