Norfolk man sentenced to over five years in prison for using other people's identities to defraud COVID-19 pandemic relief programs

Summary

Press release of the U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Virginia, dated April 17, 2025. Dwaynald Darion Gibbs of Norfolk was sentenced the day before to five years and ten months in prison for mail fraud and aggravated identity theft, announced U.S. Attorney Erik S. Siebert after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Raymond A. Jackson. According to court documents, Gibbs filed or caused to be filed dozens of claims resulting in the Virginia Employment Commission's approval of approximately $658,966 in unemployment insurance benefits. The release says many claims named Legends or Legends Barbershop as the former employer, used one of two mailing addresses associated with Gibbs, and provided the same telephone number.

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PRESS RELEASE


Norfolk man sentenced to over five years
in prison for using other people’s
identities to defraud COVID-19 pandemic
relief programs
Thursday, April 17, 2025

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Virginia

NORFOLK, Va. – A Norfolk man was sentenced yesterday to five years and ten months in
prison for mail fraud and aggravated identity theft.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security
(CARES) Act expanded states’ ability to provide unemployment insurance (UI) for many
workers impacted by the pandemic. During that time, the Virginia Employment
Commission (VEC) was responsible for administering the unemployment compensation
program in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Unemployed workers in Virginia could file for
UI benefits either by phone or through the VEC internet portal and applicants could
choose whether to have VEC deposit their unemployment benefits directly in a linked
bank account or loaded onto a prepaid debit card, typically called a “Way2Go” card.

According to court documents, Dwaynald Darion Gibbs, 40, filed or caused to be filed
dozens of claims resulting in the VEC’s approval of approximately $658,966 in UI benefits.
The fraudulent claims were identified after a review identified multiple applications that
shared certain similarities. For example, many of the claims provided the name “Legends”
or “Legends Barbershop” as the former employer, used one of two mailing addresses
associated with Gibbs, and provided the same telephone number. Many of the claims
were also submitted from the same internet protocol address.

Gibbs pled guilty on Dec. 5, 2024.

Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Troy W. Springer, Special
Agent in Charge, National Capital Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector
General; and Joseph V. Cuffari, Inspector General for the Department of Homeland
Security, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Raymond
A. Jackson.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony Mozzi and Kristen S. Taylor prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the
Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the
website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching
for Case No. 2:24-cr-109.

Contact
Press Officer
USAVAE.Press@usdoj.gov

Updated April 17, 2025

Topics
DISASTER FRAUD

FINANCIAL FRAUD
Component
USAO - Virginia, Eastern


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