Norfolk man sentenced to over five years in prison for using other people’s identities to defraud COVID-19 pandemic relief programs
Summary
A press release of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia dated Thursday, April 17, 2025, announcing that Dwaynald Darion Gibbs, 40, of Norfolk, was sentenced to five years and ten months in prison for mail fraud and aggravated identity theft. The release describes the unemployment insurance program administered by the Virginia Employment Commission under the CARES Act, with benefits paid to bank accounts or prepaid debit cards. According to the release, he filed or caused to be filed dozens of claims resulting in the commission's approval of approximately $658,966 in benefits. It states that the claims were identified after a review found applications with shared features, many naming Legends or Legends Barbershop as the former employer.
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Full text
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 Related Content Press Release School official pleads guilty in $2.9M Scheme to defraud veterans’ education programs Jeffrey Williams, 37, of Alexandria, pled guilty today to wire fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) of nearly $3 million. April 30, 2025 Press Release Grant manager sentenced to over two years in prison for embezzling funds intended to serve Native Alaskans Larry Todd Morgan, 57, of Orange, Virginia, was sentenced today to two years and four months in prison for wire fraud relating to his scheme to misappropriate grant funds through... April 22, 2025 Press Release Florida couple pleads guilty to their roles in a scheme to provide and receive prohibited labor payments Ricky and Mabel O’Quinn, of Melbourne, Florida, pled guilty today to conspiracy to provide and receive prohibited labor payments, in violation of the Labor Management Relations (Taft-Hartley) Act. April 2, 2025
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