U.S. News
Disturbing Pandemic Fraud Case Brings Prison Terms in Virginia
Clear Facts
- Virginia fraud ring stole $669,124 using Duffield Jail inmates’ identities for false unemployment claims.
- Jonathan Ricketts got 84 months prison; Woliver 24 months; Caudill 30 days plus home confinement.
- Ricketts Advisory LLC filed 101+ fraudulent PUA claims during COVID pandemic.
Three conspirators defrauded Virginia taxpayers of over $650,000 through ineligible pandemic unemployment benefits.
Jonathan Ricketts, from jail, mailed inmates’ personal info and signatures to his wife Farren for filing claims.
Employees Caudill and Woliver assisted, receiving and enabling thousands in unwarranted payments.
Virginia disbursed $1.1 billion in fraudulent PUA claims from April 2020 to March 2021.
“I applaud our partners at the IRS, Department of Labor, and the Russell County Sheriff’s Office for their outstanding work on this case. Fraudsters who line their pockets at the expense of taxpayers will face accountability for their crimes,” Acting United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci said.
This taxpayer theft via bloated COVID programs demands stricter controls and real accountability.
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