A woman who stole $30 million in Covid-19 unemployment benefits has been jailed for 12 years.
Tyshion Nautese Hicks, 32, and her accomplices exploited unemployment insurance benefits designed to support those impacted by the pandemic.
The Fraud
Between March 2020 and November 2022, Hicks and her accomplices exploited unemployment insurance benefits designed. The fraud involved over 5,000 unemployment claims, resulting in $30 million in stolen benefits.
They filed claims using stolen identities and fake employee lists.
They also collected personal information from various sources, including an Atlanta hospital employee who illegally accessed patients’ information and online black-market purchases.
The money was dispersed using prepaid debit cards mailed to addresses controlled by Hicks and her network.
How the Scheme Operated
The conspirators fabricated employers and employee rosters, using the stolen identities to file fake claims through the GaDOL system.
To control the distribution of funds, Hicks paid a US Postal Service (USPS) carrier to redirect debit cards with fraudulently obtained benefits, totaling over $512,000, to addresses she specified.
She even coached another co-conspirator on setting up fake employer accounts.
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Legal Proceedings and Guilty Pleas
Hicks pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and aggravated identity theft in February.
Seven of her co-conspirators have also faced legal consequences, with others pleading guilty or receiving sentences.
In addition to the prison sentence, Hicks will serve three years of supervised release and pay restitution, an amount yet to be determined.
The sentence also includes three years for an unrelated charge of illegal firearm possession.
Statements from Key Agencies
Special Agent in Charge Frederick D. Houston of the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) Atlanta Field Office, said:
“Hicks chose to commit fraud, further depleting limited funds designated to help individuals struggling to survive during the pandemic.
“She and her co-conspirators also stole the personally identifiable information, caring only about self-enrichment, not the lives adversely affected. This case signifies our commitment to protect citizens and businesses from fraud and identity theft.Â
“We will continue to work with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to prosecute those who abuse these programs.”
Justice Department’s COVID-19 Fraud Task Force
The COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force, established by Attorney General Merrick Garland in May 2021, has worked to target and prosecute major fraud cases.
The task force’s collaboration across federal, state, and local agencies has strengthened efforts to protect relief funds from abuse and ensure they reach legitimate claimants.
