James Henley, a resident of Greenwood, Indiana, was sentenced to a ten-year prison term by a federal judge for a vast fraudulent scheme. This fraudulent scam involved the exploitation of Evansville street addresses and ATM machines to accumulate cash from illegitimate unemployment claims. Court filings show that Henley pleaded guilty to money laundering, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and a conspiracy to commit access device fraud. As a punishment, Judge Matthew P. Brookman asked Henley to serve ten years in federal prison and pay more than $1.8 million as compensation.

According to court records, Henley was part of an extensive fraudulent scam questioning the credibility of the Covid-19 unemployment relief system. He also got involved in mortgage fraud, home title fraud and auto loan fraud, which collectively garnered over $2.9 million in illegal profits. Henley has also faced felony charges before for financial crimes, including theft, forgery and fraud. Henley’s wife, Jameka T. Henley, and a business associate, Jimmie D. Bickers II, have also been accused of being involved in the fraud.

The fraud was uncovered when U.S. Department of Labor records showed unusual activity: two Evansville addresses were linked to at least 118 unemployment claims across different states. These addresses were traced back to Henley’s dissolved business and an apartment listed in Henley’s name. The investigators also found that more than 60 debit cards issued by the State of California’s unemployment insurance program were linked to these addresses. The activity on these debit cards showed transactions amounting to more than $488,000 in unemployment benefits.

The extensive fraudulent activity involved money laundering through three vehicle purchases during 2020-2023 in Evansville and Indianapolis using the proceeds from the fraud. Furthermore, Henley also filed fraudulent home deeds claiming the purchase of five Indianapolis homes through his business. All these claimed purchases were later identified as part of a home title fraud scheme, earning Henley over $260,000 in profits.

For individuals dealing with legitimate unemployment claims in the State of California, the situation can be challenging. It’s often necessary to reach out directly to the EDD (Employment Development Department) for help with managing claims, getting information, or clearing up misunderstandings. One of the best resources for doing so is eddcaller.com, a comprehensive guide on how to get through to EDD. The site provides invaluable tools and instructions on how to reach the EDD quickly and efficiently. Borrowing from the experiences of countless EDD claimants, it offers a step-by-step approach for connecting with the unemployment office, making it a must-visit for anyone seeking to navigate the often complex EDD system.