Southfield Resident Pleads Guilty In COVID-19 Fraud Scheme

Summary

A press release of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Michigan, dated January 18, 2022, announcing that Southfield resident Mykia King pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in a pandemic-related unemployment insurance fraud scheme. The release states that, according to the plea agreement, King filed approximately 34 fraudulent claims for pandemic unemployment assistance in the names of multiple individuals. It describes a claim filed on June 5, 2020 in the name of a victim with the initials T.R., from which approximately $11,880 was obtained at ATMs in the Detroit Metro area. Irene Lindow of the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General is quoted as saying King obtained more than $366,000. Sentencing is set for April 19, 2022 before United States District Judge Linda V. Parker.

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Full text

                                     Department of Justice
                                        U.S. Attorney’s Office
                                    Eastern District of Michigan


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                     Tuesday, January 18, 2022

      Southfield Resident Pleads Guilty In COVID-19 Fraud
                            Scheme
DETROIT - Southfield resident Mykia King pleaded guilty today to wire fraud and aggravated
identity theft arising out of a pandemic-related unemployment insurance fraud scheme, announced
United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison.

Joining in the announcement were Irene Lindow, Special Agent-in-Charge, Chicago Region, U.S.
Department of Labor Office of Inspector General and Special Agent in Charge John Marengo, United
States Secret Service’s Detroit Field Office.

Mykia King, 29, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud arising out of her submission of 34
fraudulent claims for pandemic unemployment assistance. She also pleaded guilty to one count of
aggravated identity theft, which reflected the fact that she used stolen personal identifying
information to further her unemployment assistance fraud scheme.

According to the plea agreement, King filed approximately 34 fraudulent UI claims seeking
pandemic unemployment assistance (PUA) benefits to which she was not entitled. These fraudulent
claims were submitted in the names of multiple individuals without those individuals’ authorization
or consent. King submitted adulterated identification documents as proof of identification for her
fraudulent PUA claims. Indeed, King submitted identical driver’s license photos and social security
cards as proof of identification for multiple claims, although she used different names and addresses
for the claims. The funds associated with King’s fraudulent claims were typically loaded onto Bank of
America debit cards and mailed to addresses King controlled. King would then withdraw the funds
on these cards, usually at ATMs located in the Eastern District of Michigan.

According to the plea documents, one such fraudulent claim was submitted in the name of a victim
whose initials were T.R. King filed a fraudulent PUA claim using T.R.’s name and social security
number on June 5, 2020. King was not lawfully in possession of T.R.’s social security number, and
was not authorized to file a PUA claim on T.R.’s behalf. The claim used King’s street address (with a
different apartment number). The system requested an Identity Verification (IDV), and King
uploaded an adulterated Michigan driver’s license bearing T.R.’s name as proof of identification.
Benefits were paid on King’s fraudulent T.R. claim on approximately June 23 and 24, 2020. King
accessed the fraudulently obtained benefits by using a Bank of America debit card issued for the T.R.
claim at ATMs in the Detroit Metro area on approximately June 25–30, July 1–2, July 6, and July
10–11, 2020, obtaining approximately $11,880. This fraudulent use of T.R.’s identifying information
in furtherance of her fraud scheme gave rise to the aggravated identity theft charge to which King
pleaded guilty.

United States Attorney Ison stated “Enhanced benefits for unemployed workers were a key lifeline
for many of our district’s citizens during the pandemic. Unfortunately, those enhanced benefits
attracted criminals seeking to exploit the system and enrich themselves at the public’s expense. My
office has no tolerance for this abuse of a public program, and today’s plea is a reflection of my
office’s commitment to vigorous prosecution of these cases.”
“Mykia King submitted numerous fraudulent claims for pandemic unemployment assistance,
obtaining more than $366,000 in funds intended for individuals who lost their jobs during the
COVID-19 pandemic. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to safeguard the
UI system from those who exploit these benefit programs,” said Irene Lindow, Special Agent in
Charge, Chicago Region, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General.

Special Agent in Charge Marengo said, “The U.S. Secret Service is dedicated to working with our
federal, state and local law enforcement partners in UIA fraud cases. The U.S. Secret Service
continues to focus on criminals exploiting the American people.”

Sentencing is set for April 19, 2022 at 11 am. before United States District Judge Linda V. Parker.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys John K. Neal and Alyse Wu. The
investigation is being conducted jointly by the Department of Labor-Office of Inspector General and
the Secret Service. The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency provided valuable assistance in
this investigation.
Topic(s):                                              Component(s):
Coronavirus                                            USAO - Michigan, Eastern


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