The Connecticut Department of Labor (DOL) and the Division of Criminal Justice have joined forces to combat the state’s unemployment fraud issue. So far they have arrested 200 people charged with illegally collecting more than $5.5 million in unemployment insurance benefits. Approximately 25 percent of those arrested have paid back the owed benefit payments in full.
Ongoing repayments are being made by others as part of court-ordered restitution.
According to State Labor Commissioner Scott D. Jackson, Since the state’s “Chasing Cheaters” program began in June 2013, it has recovered nearly $1.8 million, which has been returned to the state’s unemployment fund for paying benefits”.
Additional information about the state’s Fraud Prosecution Program can be found on the DOL website: https://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/BPCU/Prosecution/default.htm