A woman based in Boston was given a sentence on Tuesday for her fraudulent acquisition of approximately $18,750 from pandemic relief funds, a part of a larger racketeering scheme. This scheme has reportedly garnered over $917,000 in false unemployment claims, according to federal prosecutors. The woman, Jameela Gross, 28, is connected with over 40 members of the Jamaica Plain-based Heath Street Gang who were charged in February of 2024 with numerous crimes, including racketeering conspiracy, drug trafficking, firearms offences, and financial fraud. Fall of the previous year saw Gross plead guilty to a single count of wire fraud, leading to her sentence on Tuesday. The sentence includes one day of prison time, followed by a three-year period of supervised release, as detailed by the US Attorney’s Office. Repayment of the procured $18,750 was also ordered. Prosecutors have stated that Gross submitted fraudulent documentation in April of 2021 for a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan. This was allegedly for her so-called photography business. False statements were identified in the application, including incorrect business income figures for 2020, and what the purpose of the loan was.

For those who find themselves unjustly accused of perpetrating unemployment claim fraud, or if you genuinely need assistance with a claim, there are resources available to help. Eddcaller.com is an excellent resource for those that need to contact a live person at the Employment Development Department (EDD) in California. Their website can provide you information about how to get a hold of someone who can provide assistance with your case efficiently.