Former Washington State Employee Sentenced for Theft of $50,000

Summary

A U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General press release dated July 28, 2026, reporting that U.S. District Court Judge Rebecca L. Pennell sentenced Tasha Hoggatt of Valencia, California, to five years of probation, including six months of home confinement, after she pleaded guilty to theft concerning programs that receive federal funds. She was ordered to pay $51,403 in restitution and a $4,000 fine. It states that while working for the Washington State Employment Security Department she filed false Paid Family Medical Leave applications with forged doctor signatures and applied for unemployment benefits while employed in California. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Pete Serrano was quoted.

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Former Washington State Employee Sentenced for Theft of $50,000 from Paid Family Leave and Unemployment Insurance Programs

July 28, 2026 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General

Spokane, Washington – On July 28, 2026, United States District Court Judge Rebecca L. Pennell sentenced Tasha Hoggatt, age 51, of Valencia, California, to five years of probation, including six months of home confinement, after Hoggatt pleaded guilty to theft concerning programs that receive federal funds. Judge Pennell also ordered that Hoggatt pay $51,403 in restitution and a $4,000 fine. The Plea Agreement can be found here.

Based on court documents, between October 1, 2021, and October 31, 2022, Hoggatt was employed with the Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) as a Human Resource Consultant. Between May 16, 2024, and September 19, 2024, Hoggatt was employed with ESD as a Benefits Specialist. While employed with ESD, Hoggatt filed false and fraudulent Paid Family Medical Leave Act applications in her own name and in the name of two family members setting out fictitious medical information and supported by documents with forged doctor signatures. Hoggatt also fraudulently applied for Washington State unemployment insurance benefits between October 31, 2022, and May 16, 2024, while not employed by ESD. Hoggatt falsely represented to ESD that she was unemployed during this period, but she was in fact employed in California. Through her false submissions, Hoggatt stole $51,403 from Washington State’s Paid Family Leave and Unemployment Insurance programs.

“Washington State Employment Security Department uses state and federal funds to provide resources for individuals in need. When people take advantage of these programs, they should expect to be prosecuted by United States Attorney’s Office; this is especially true when someone, like Hoggatt, works for the Department,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano.

“Tasha Hoggatt abused her position at the Washington Employment Security Department to steal more than $51,000 in benefits meant for workers in genuine need,” said Anthony P. D’Esposito, Inspector General, U.S. Department of Labor. “Today's sentence underscores a simple truth: if you exploit federal programs and betray the public’s trust, my office will pursue you relentlessly.

Our dedication to working with our law enforcement partners remains unwavering, as we uphold a rigorous zero-tolerance policy towards any misuse of our systems. Those who seek to exploit these programs will inevitably be identified and brought to justice. Accountability is not just a promise—it’s a guarantee."

Source: DOJ Press Release .

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