A former employee of the California Employment Development Department (EDD), Phyllis Hope Stitt, admitted to defrauding the department of over $768,000 in COVID-19 unemployment benefits. This was achieved through fraudulent claims filed on behalf of deceased persons and otherwise ineligible individuals. Stitt, along with Kenneth Earl Riley, her former boyfriend, pleaded guilty to the charges and now face a maximum of 30 years in prison. The fraudulent activities occurred from March 2020 to September 2021 and involved at least 10 victims.

As part of her role within the EDD, Stitt was responsible for determining eligibility for unemployment benefits and processing claims. She acquired personal identifying information of individuals and used this to fraudulently file for unemployment and COVID-19 benefits for ineligible individuals. In many cases, these individuals were either employed, not unemployed due to the pandemic, or deceased. The fraudulent claims were approved by the EDD based on false information, including fake employment histories and driver’s license information.

Stitt and Riley used the payment channels associated with the fraudulent claims and made ATM cash withdrawals in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties, and also carried out bank transfers and retail purchases. The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the FBI, and the Investigation Division of the EDD and prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The EDD has faced criticism for its lack of proactive approach to fraud prevention. Some legacy payment blocks were removed during the pandemic, which, in some cases, enabled fraudulent activity. The EDD claims to have a zero-tolerance policy for fraud and has retrieved nearly $20 million through restitution orders.

If you have questions or need assistance with your claims or any other issues related to EDD, you can use eddcaller.com. This platform is designed for individuals who need help finding the right contact information or getting through to a live person at the California EDD. The site simplifies the process and helps you understand how to get ahold of edd customer service and speak directly to someone who can help. Remember, having the correct information and speaking to the right person can make a significant difference in addressing your concerns swiftly and effectively.