Former State Employee Sentenced for Taking Bribes

Summary

Press release of the U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Michigan, dated June 16, 2025. Danielle Moore, a former State of Michigan claims examiner for the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency, was sentenced by Judge Susan K. DeClercq to 41 months in prison after pleading guilty to conspiring to engage in wire fraud. The release says she admitted taking bribes to process fraudulent claims, which cost Michigan approximately $1,507,057.08, and she was ordered to pay that amount in restitution. A Department of Labor Office of Inspector General official is quoted saying she facilitated the approval of at least 40 fraudulent claims for incarcerated individuals.

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PRESS RELEASE


Former State Employee Sentenced for
Taking Bribes to Approve Fraudulent
Claims for Unemployment Insurance
Benefits
Monday, June 16, 2025

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

DETROIT – A Detroit resident was sentenced today for her role in a scheme to steal
unemployment assistance funds, announced United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon
Jr. Danielle Moore, 41, was sentenced to 41 months in prison after having pleaded
guilty to conspiring to engage in wire fraud.

Gorgon was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Cheyvoryea
Gibson, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Detroit Field Division; Megan Howell, Special
Agent-in-Charge, Great Lakes Region, U.S. Department of Labor-Office of Inspector
General; and Megan Howell, Special Agent-in-Charge, Great Lakes Region, U.S.
Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General.

Moore was sentenced by United States District Judge Susan K. DeClercq.

Moore was employed by the State of Michigan (SOM), Michigan Works Agency (MWA)
and was assigned to work as a claims examiner for the Michigan Unemployment
Insurance Agency (MUIA) during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the spring of
2020. She admitted to taking bribes to process fraudulent claims. As a result of Moore’s
crimes, the State of Michigan paid out approximately $1,507,057.08 in fraudulent
unemployment claims that should have been disbursed to unemployed Americans
during a historic time of need.

Moore was also ordered to pay $1,507,057.08 in restitution.
United States Attorney Gorgon stated: “We remain committed to prosecuting those who
choose to profit through the theft of government funds earmarked for those members
of our community who are truly in need.”

“Ms. Moore, as a former state employee, betrayed the public’s trust by taking advantage
of her position and conspiring to steal funds meant to support unemployed workers
during a national crisis,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in
Michigan. “Her actions were not only criminal but also a direct insult to the countless
families and businesses struggling to survive the economic fallout of the pandemic. The
FBI, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue to investigate and hold
accountable anyone who chooses to defraud essential relief programs and exploit
moments of national vulnerability for personal gain.”

“Former State of Michigan employee Danielle Moore engaged in an unemployment
insurance fraud scheme by facilitating the approval of at least 40 fraudulent claims for
incarcerated individuals. Moore abused her position by accessing sensitive employment
information and state data systems for her own personal financial gain. We will continue
to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate those who seek to exploit this
critical benefit program, particularly when an insider threat is involved,” said Megan
Howell, Special Agent-in-Charge, Great Lakes Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office
of Inspector General.

“UIA holds its employees to lofty ethical standards. When a staff member breaks that
trust for personal gain, it is particularly disappointing,” said Jason Palmer, Director of the
Michigan UIA. “Danielle Moore used her insider status to help steal money meant for
fellow Michiganders who relied on their jobless benefits to survive. She failed her
colleagues and failed the taxpayers of Michigan and is now being held accountable for
her selfish acts.”

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Timothy J. Wyse. The
investigation was conducted jointly by the Department of Labor, Office of Inspector
General, Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Detroit Area Public Corruption Task Force, and
the Unemployment Insurance Agency, Michigan Department of Labor and Economic
Opportunity.

Updated June 16, 2025

Topic
CORONAVIRUS
Component
USAO - Michigan, Eastern


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