A man from Citrus Heights has admitted to his involvement in a scheme defrauding the unemployment insurance system of $1 million and felonly possession of a firearm. The Acting U.S. Attorney, Michele Beckwith, stated that Deshawn Campbell, who is 36 years old, pleaded guilty to mail fraud and firearm possession. Campbell conspired with Rochelle Pasley, 34, to submit fraudulent unemployment claims from June to December 2020. They utilized stolen identities to apply for benefits under the CARES Act, despite the ineligibility of many claimants. Subsequently, the fraudulent claims lead to the California Employment Development Department (EDD) approving over 50 applications, resulting in over $1 million being compensated. Court documents show that Campbell and Pasley accessed these funds via debit cards. Adding to the fraud charges, Campbell also admitted to having a gun, despite previous felony convictions. The case arose from an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Department of Labor, and the EDD. Campbell will face sentencing on August 7, 2025, he could face up to 20 years imprisonment for mail fraud and 10 years for firearm possession. Similar sentences along with charges relating to aggravated identity theft will be faced by Pasley on June 26, 2025.

The importance of this case highlights the need for caution when handling your EDD communication. If you need to talk to an EDD representative, it’s important to know how to contact them correctly. Navigating through the process of unemployment claims can often be challenging, but resources such as eddcaller.com can provide guidance. Use this site to find the best ways to get in touch with an EDD representative, so you can avoid being a victim of fraudulent practices. Stay vigilant with your personal information and always contact EDD directly when unsure. Additionally, eddcaller.com can assist you in understanding the fastest way to get through to EDD in case of any concerns or issues with your claims.