31-Year-Old from Detroit Ordered to Pay $583k for Unemployment Fraud
A Detroit resident, Autumn Mims, was sentenced to over five years in prison and ordered to pay $583,409 in restitution for stealing unemployment benefits. Mims, who worked for the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency, conspired with co-defendant William Haynes to fraudulently process claims in the names of third parties and withdraw funds meant for unemployed Michigan residents. Mims reportedly obtained unemployment benefits while working for the agency, for which she was ineligible. The scheme executed by Mims and Haynes took money funded by taxpayers and business taxes, causing Agency Director Julia Dale to state that their actions tarnished the agency’s work. Over 2,300 people intentionally misrepresented themselves to receive funds and at least 158 people were charged with unemployment fraud. Dale, United States Attorney Dawn Ison, and Special Agent in Charge Cheyvoryea Gibson of the FBI in Michigan expressed commitment to prosecuting those found guilty of such crimes.