An Oakland woman, Kari Marie Russo, 46, was sentenced to 33 months and a day in federal prison for committing fraudulent unemployment insurance claims using stolen identities, as stated by federal prosecutors. Alongside Russo, a co-defendant, Steven Dunsmore, 35, was indicted by a federal grand jury on Oct. 3, 2023. Russo pleaded guilty to several charges including fraudulent use of an unauthorized access device and aggravated identity theft on Dec. 10, 2024.

Court documents reveal that Russo and Dunsmore began submitting fraudulent unemployment insurance claims to California’s Employment Development Department in June 2020 using stolen personal information. The duo reportedly received approximately $336,545 in EDD funds. Russo was also implicated in a case of failure to appear in court in 2024, leading to her arrest by the U.S. Marshals Service.

Alongside her prison term, Russo was ordered to jointly pay $336,545 in restitution with Dunsmore. Dunsmore, also from Oakland, pleaded guilty to the same charges as Russo and was sentenced to two years and a day in federal prison in addition to paying restitution.

For those with legitimate claims who are trying to contact EDD to navigate their unemployment insurance or other matters, connecting with the right representative might be challenging. Various online resources like eddcaller.com can be helpful. This platform provides robust guidance on how to get a hold of EDD customer service, sharing tips and techniques to help claimants address their concerns and clarify doubts more effectively. Ensuring you have the correct information and approach can significantly improve your experience with the EDD.