Fraudster Who Submitted Over $340,000 in Fake COVID Unemployment Benefits Applications Pleads Guilty
Summary
A press release of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina dated Wednesday, September 10, 2025, announcing that Shontavia Riddick, 32, a Pitt County woman, pleaded guilty to theft of government property charges over pandemic unemployment benefit applications. According to the release, she submitted more than 65 unemployment benefits claims to the Division of Employment Security of the North Carolina Department of Commerce, requesting more than $340,000, with false representations about applicants' employment and fraudulent supporting documents. The release states that she faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. It quotes U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle, who made the announcement after Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II accepted the plea.
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Full text
Press Release Fraudster Who Submitted Over $340,000 in Fake COVID Unemployment Benefits Applications Pleads Guilty Wednesday, September 10, 2025 For Immediate Release U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of North Carolina WILMINGTON, N.C. – A Pitt County woman who submitted false pandemic unemployment benefit applications pleaded guilty to theft of government property charges on Wednesday. Shontavia Riddick, 32, faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison when a federal judge sentences her later this year. According to court documents and other information presented in court, Riddick defrauded the North Carolina Department of Commerce, Division of Employment Security (NCDES) by submitting more than 65 fraudulent unemployment benefits claims, requesting more than $340,000 in unemployment benefits. Riddick made false representations on the applications about the applicant’s employment and submitted fraudulent documents to support the applications. “When people lie, cheat, and steal taxpayers’ money that should be used to support actual struggling citizens, it undermines the whole system,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “We cannot allow individuals to loot the cellar to get fat while starving people go without. Not in Eastern North Carolina.” Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II accepted the plea. United States Department of Labor Office of the Inspector General is investigating the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ethan Ontjes is prosecuting the case. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:25-CR-19-M. ### Updated September 10, 2025 Topic Health Care Fraud Component USAO - North Carolina, Eastern Related Content Press Release Largest North Carolina Behavioral Health Practice Agrees to Pay $1.9 Million to Resolve Allegedly False Medicare Claims December 2, 2025 Press Release Compliance Director and Office Manager of Substance Abuse Company Convicted in Scheme to Pay Medicaid Kickbacks to Patients NEW BERN, N.C. – Two former leaders of Life Touch LLC, a Kinston-based substance abuse treatment company, have pleaded guilty to their roles in a scheme to pay kickbacks to... August 25, 2025 Press Release Multiple Eastern North Carolina Healthcare Professionals Charged in Connection with 2025 National Healthcare Fraud Takedown RALEIGH, N.C. – Today, Acting United States Attorney Daniel P. Bubar announced criminal charges against five individuals and one company, in connection with alleged schemes to defraud and abuse the... June 30, 2025
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