Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Labor OIG Investigations Newsletter February 1, 2024–March 31, 2024 Volume 51
Summary
Volume 51 of the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General's Investigations Newsletter covers February 1, 2024 to March 31, 2024. On March 5, 2024, Paradise Williams was sentenced to 5 years in prison and ordered to pay more than $2 million in restitution for a scheme that took more than $3.3 million from pandemic assistance programs through more than 125 fraudulent applications for CARES Act unemployment benefits, Emergency Rental Assistance, PPP loans and EIDL. On February 9, 2024, Eduard Gasparyan was sentenced to 210 months for using stolen identities to obtain more than $1.5 million in pandemic-related unemployment insurance benefits. Other items cover a former Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency employee, Antonia Brown, sentenced to 21 months, guilty pleas in unemployment insurance schemes, and a 51-month sentence for Colombo crime family captain Vincent Ricciardo.
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Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Labor
OIG Investigations Newsletter
February 1, 2024–March 31, 2024
Volume 51
Washington Woman Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for CARES
Act Fraud
On March 5, 2024, Paradise Williams was sentenced to 5 years in
prison and ordered to pay more than $2 million in restitution for
orchestrating a wide-ranging fraud scheme which involved the theft of
more than $3.3 million from federally funded pandemic assistance
The Office of Inspector General programs.
(OIG) for the U.S. Department of
Labor (DOL) is pleased to present From June 2020 to February 2022, Williams personally submitted more
the OIG Investigations Newsletter, than 125 fraudulent applications for Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and
containing a bimonthly summary Economic Security (CARES) Act unemployment benefits, U.S.
of selected investigative Department of the Treasury Emergency Rental Assistance Program
accomplishments. (ERAP) funds, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Paycheck
Protection Program (PPP) loans, and SBA Economic Injury Disaster
The OIG conducts criminal, civil, Loans (EIDL). She enlisted more than 50 associates, including her five
and administrative investigations co-defendants, to obtain more than $3.3 million by posing as fake
into alleged violations of federal tenants, landlords, and small business owners in need of assistance. In
laws relating to DOL programs, submitting these applications to federally funded pandemic assistance
operations, and personnel. In programs, Williams, among other actions, created falsified bank
addition, the OIG conducts statements, tenant ledgers, and landlord attestations.
criminal investigations to combat
the influence of labor racketeering Upon receipt of the fraudulently obtained funds, Williams and her
and organized crime in the associates methodically laundered the funds through cash withdrawals,
nation’s labor unions in three wire transfers, and expensive luxury purchases. She personally
areas: employee benefit plans, received more than $2 million in fraudulent proceeds and spent the
labor-management relations, and money on luxury cars, lavish trips, cosmetic surgery, jewelry, and
internal union affairs. designer goods. In addition to fraudulently obtaining more than
$700,000 directly from her submission of ERAP applications, Williams
also received more than $1.2 million in kickback payments that she
demanded from her associates for facilitating the various fraudulent
schemes.
Overall, the fraud ring sought to steal more than $6.8 million in
pandemic benefits from nearly every major pandemic assistance
program.
This is a joint investigation with the FBI and the SBA-OIG. United
States v. Williams et al. (W.D. Washington)
OIG Investigations Newsletter
Volume 51, February 1, 2024–March 31, 2024
California Man Sentenced 17.5 Years in Prison for Unemployment Insurance Fraud
On February 9, 2024, Eduard Gasparyan was sentenced to 210 months in prison and ordered to pay
more than $2.2 million in restitution for using stolen identities to fraudulently obtain more than
$1.5 million in pandemic-related unemployment insurance (UI) benefits and for stealing titles to dozens
of cars by presenting forged documents to the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
From at least 2020 to September 2022, Gasparyan and his then-fiancée, Angela Karchyan, stole the
identities of victims without their knowledge or consent and used those identities to apply for UI benefits
from the California Employment Development Department (EDD). They then used UI debit cards, which
contained the fraudulently obtained UI benefits, to withdraw cash at ATMs. As a result of this fraud
scheme, the California EDD paid more than $851,000 in fraudulently obtained UI benefits.
In a separate scheme, Gasparyan and Karchyan purchased vehicles using their own names, as well as
the names of identity theft victims. They then provided the sellers with worthless checks or bank account
numbers to purportedly pay for the vehicles. In addition, they used stolen identities to rent vehicles and
caused the DMV to remove the actual owners (rental car companies) from the registration for those
vehicles by using forged documents.
This is a joint investigation with the California EDD and the Internal Revenue Service–Criminal
Investigation (IRS-CI). United States v. Gasparyan et al. (C.D. California)
New Hampshire Man Pled Guilty to Multiple Fraud Schemes Totaling More Than $2 Million and
Will Forfeit More Than $800,000 to the U.S. Government
On February 15, 2024, Anthony Silva pled guilty to three counts of wire fraud, one count of mail fraud,
and one count of aggravated identity theft for his role in various fraud schemes involving more than
$2 million in intended losses. Silva agreed to forfeit more than $825,000 in assets to the U.S.
Government.
Silva orchestrated four separate fraud schemes using stolen identities from victims without their
knowledge or consent. Specifically, he used stolen names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and
other identifiers to fraudulently obtain credit cards, UI benefits from Vermont and Massachusetts, and
CARES Act funds from the SBA in the names of identity theft victims. The fraudulently obtained UI
benefits and CARES Act funds were deposited by either check or direct deposit into dozens of accounts
Silva controlled at multiple banks. Many of these accounts were in the names of individual victims or
fictional organizations with Silva listed as the trustee.
This is a joint investigation with the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), the FBI, and the
United States Secret Service (USSS). United States v. Anthony Silva (D. New Hampshire)
Report allegations of fraud, waste, and abuse concerning DOL programs and operations to the
OIG hotline via 800-347-3756 or www.oig.dol.gov.
2
OIG Investigations Newsletter
Volume 51, February 1, 2024–March 31, 2024
Michigan State Employee Sentenced in Unemployment Insurance Fraud Scheme
On February 6, 2024, Antonia Brown, a former State of Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency
(MUIA) employee, was sentenced to 21 months in prison for her role in an UI fraud scheme. She was
also sentenced to 36 months of supervised release following her prison sentence and was ordered to
pay more than $549,000 in restitution for her involvement in a multimillion-dollar scheme to defraud the
federal government and the State of Michigan. Brown is the first of three individuals sentenced in this
case.
Beginning in May 2020 and continuing through at least September 2021, Brown and her co-
conspirators, Angela Johnson and Kiannia Mitchell, collectively conspired to defraud the federal
government and State of Michigan through the facilitation of numerous UI claims. Brown took actions on
numerous fraudulent claims that were accessed and/or filed by Johnson and Mitchell, which resulted in
unauthorized payments of those claims. The investigation found that Brown received financial kickbacks
for those actions from Johnson and Mitchell, as well as from some of the claimants themselves.
Evidence obtained during the investigation revealed that Brown tried to conceal those payments as
jewelry payments to her side business. The investigation also showed that the scheme involved
approximately 123 UI claims totaling more than $3 million dollars in benefits paid, $1.6 million of which
was paid after Brown’s unauthorized actions. Per a plea agreement between Brown and the U.S.
Attorney’s Office, Brown was held accountable for more than $549,000 in unauthorized and fraudulent
UI payments.
This was a joint investigation with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)-OIG, the FBI, and
the MUIA. United States v. Antonia Brown et al. (E.D. Michigan)
Illinois Man Pled Guilty to Wire Fraud as Part of an Unemployment Insurance Scheme
On February 6, 2024, Sirreginald McGuire pled guilty to one count of wire fraud. As part of his plea
agreement, McGuire admitted that he and co-conspirator, Robert Carter, engaged in a scheme to
defraud multiple state workforce agencies (SWA), which resulted in a loss of at least $1 million in UI
benefits.
From June 2020 through March 2021, McGuire participated in a scheme to submit fraudulent UI claims
to multiple SWAs. McGuire’s co-conspirator, Carter, used his social media account to solicit other
individuals’ participation in the UI fraud scheme by requesting personal identifiable information (PII),
including Social Security numbers and dates of birth, for either themselves or other individuals not
involved in the scheme. They subsequently used the PII to file fraudulent UI claims. In furtherance of the
scheme, McGuire provided Carter with access to UI debit cards, which were associated with the
fraudulent UI claims and mailed to his residence in exchange for a share of the fraudulent proceeds.
Carter then withdrew the fraudulently obtained UI funds from the debit cards at banks and ATMs across
Illinois. McGuire and Carter obtained at least $1 million in fraudulent UI benefits from SWAs in Arizona,
California, Illinois, Ohio, Maryland, and Virginia.
This is a joint investigation with the USPIS. United States v. Robert Carter et al. (N.D. Illinois)
Report allegations of fraud, waste, and abuse concerning DOL programs and operations to the
OIG hotline via 800-347-3756 or www.oig.dol.gov.
3
OIG Investigations Newsletter
Volume 51, February 1, 2024–March 31, 2024
California Man Convicted of Defrauding Unemployment Insurance Program
On February 26, 2024, Adolph Barley II pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and
agreed to pay restitution of more than $974,000 for his role in an UI fraud scheme.
From July 2020 through February 2021, Barley and his co-conspirator submitted approximately 40
fraudulent applications for PUA funds to the California EDD. He and his co-conspirator carried out the
scheme by obtaining and using the PII, such as the names, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers,
of individuals ineligible for PUA and who did not authorize such applications in their names. Following
approval of the fraudulent applications, debit cards, which were loaded with PUA funds, were mailed to
mailing addresses to which Barley had access. Both he and his co-conspirator utilized the debit cards to
withdraw cash at various ATMs. Through their scheme, Barley and his co-conspirator fraudulently
obtained more than $974,000 in PUA benefits.
This is a joint investigation with the DHS-OIG and the California EDD. United States v. Brown et al.
(C.D. California)
Pennsylvania Man Pled Guilty to Role in Unemployment Insurance Fraud Scheme
On February 5, 2024, Adrian Fluellen pled guilty to wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud for
his role in an UI fraud scheme targeting the SWA of Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.
Between April and December 2020, Fluellen, along with his co-conspirators, electronically filed
hundreds of false UI claims in the names of other individuals without their knowledge, consent, or
authorization. The fraudulent claims resulted in the mailing of hundreds of UI debit cards. Fluellen and
his co-conspirators then successfully unloaded more than $930,000 from the UI debit cards through
purchases and cash withdrawals.
In furtherance of the scheme, Fluellen created email accounts to link to fraudulent UI claims. In addition,
he submitted and re-certified fraudulent UI claims using an IP address registered in Michigan. Fluellen
also collected mail for UI claims and withdrew fraudulently obtained funds from UI debit cards.
Fluellen agreed to pay restitution of more than $673,000 to the State of Michigan and more than
$260,000 to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania jointly and severally with other charged co-
conspirators.
This is a joint investigation with the FBI, the IRS, and the MUIA. United States v. Dotson et al. (E.D.
Michigan)
Report allegations of fraud, waste, and abuse concerning DOL programs and operations to the
OIG hotline via 800-347-3756 or www.oig.dol.gov.
4
OIG Investigations Newsletter
Volume 51, February 1, 2024–March 31, 2024
Texas Man Sentenced for Defrauding Multiple State Workforce Agencies
On February 20, 2024, Luigi Montes was sentenced to 22 months in prison for his role in a scheme to
defraud the UI program during the COVID-19 pandemic. Montes, in conjunction with his co-conspirators,
was ordered to pay approximately $700,000 in restitution.
From March 2020 to January 2021, Montes and two co-conspirators devised a scheme to submit
fraudulent UI claims to the Nevada Department of Employment, Training, and Rehabilitation (DETR) and
the California EDD. As part of the scheme, they used stolen PII, such as victim names, dates of birth,
and Social Security numbers, to defraud the Nevada DETR and California EDD. Once the claims were
approved, UI debit cards were sent to mailing addresses to which Montes and co-conspirators had
access. After receiving the debit cards, Montes withdrew the funds at various ATMs across Texas.
During his participation in the conspiracy, Montes and his co-conspirators fraudulently obtained at least
$698,000 in benefits for their personal benefit.
This was a joint investigation with the FBI, the Nevada DETR, and the California EDD. United States v.
Montes et al. (D. Nevada)
Florida Men Sentenced for Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud, Wire Fraud and Mail Fraud
On February 9, 2024, and February 20, 2024, Franklin Brown and Samuel Bush III were sentenced,
respectively, for defrauding the California and Massachusetts SWAs in an UI fraud scheme. Pursuant to
guilty pleas for conspiracy to commit bank fraud, wire fraud and mail fraud, they were both sentenced to
33 months in prison. The court also ordered Brown and Bush to pay restitution totaling approximately
$643,000 joint and severally. Bush was further ordered to pay an additional $6,000 in restitution.
As part of the conspiracy, Brown, Bush, and another co-conspirator submitted UI applications to the
SWAs using the PII of identity theft victims without the victims’ knowledge or consent. Based on the
fraudulent applications, the SWAs approved UI benefit payments in the form of pre-paid debit cards
issued by financial institutions. Many of these cards were mailed to a Florida address belonging to
Brown. Bush made telephone calls to one of the financial institutions pretending to be the real
cardholders to activate or make inquiries about the fraudulently obtained debit cards. Brown and another
co-conspirator used the fraudulently obtained pre-paid debit cards to make multiple cash withdrawals at
ATMs in South Florida.
Over the course of the conspiracy at least 92 UI claims were disbursed due to the fraudulent UI
applications resulting in the loss of more than $1.1 million in UI benefits.
This investigation is being conducted as part of the Miami COVID-19 Strike Force and is a joint
investigation with the DHS-OIG, the FBI, and the USPIS. United States v. Wright et al. (S.D. Florida)
Report allegations of fraud, waste, and abuse concerning DOL programs and operations to the
OIG hotline via 800-347-3756 or www.oig.dol.gov.
5
OIG Investigations Newsletter
Volume 51, February 1, 2024–March 31, 2024
Nigerian Man Sentenced to Prison for Pandemic-Related Unemployment Insurance Benefits
Scam
On February 21, 2024, Valentine O. Odije, a Nigerian citizen residing in Georgia, was sentenced to 21
months in prison for his role in a conspiracy involving the unlawful use of debit cards funded with
COVID-19 pandemic-related UI benefits. In addition, he was ordered to pay restitution of more than
$660,000 and to forfeit approximately $86,000 in cash.
Odije was recruited into an ongoing scheme by individuals who were filing fraudulent UI claims during
the COVID-19 pandemic. The fraudulent claims resulted in UI benefits being loaded onto debit cards in
Odije’s possession. Odije’s role in the scheme was to use the debit cards to withdraw cash and
purchase money orders. He knew the debit cards were funded with unlawfully obtained UI benefits.
Odije also recruited others to help him access the UI benefits on the cards by selecting the cards for
them to use and instructing them on how to withdraw cash from the cards and purchase money orders.
This is a joint investigation with the USSS. United States v. Valentine Odije et al. (E.D. Tennessee)
New York Man Sentenced to Prison for $600,000 COVID-19 Pandemic Benefit Fraud Scheme
Using Stolen Identities
On February 7, 2024, Obinna Nwafor was sentenced to 42 months in prison and ordered to pay
restitution of more than $545,000 for his role in defrauding multiple SWAs and the SBA of federal
pandemic relief benefits, including UI and SBA EIDL benefits.
From May 2020 through October 2020, Nwafor received approximately $300,000 in pandemic-related UI
benefits to which he was not entitled in the names of at least 18 other individuals who were unaware of
the activity. The fraudulently obtained UI benefits were deposited into approximately six different bank
accounts Nwafor owned or controlled.
In addition, in September 2020, a victim residing in Virginia received a statement from the SBA at their
home address indicating that they owed a payment on a loan they purportedly received under the EIDL
program. The investigation determined that loan documents were electronically signed in the victim’s
name and loan proceeds totaling $149,900 were disbursed to an account controlled by Nwafor. Further
investigation revealed that Nwafor fraudulently obtained several other EIDL loans, the proceeds of which
were deposited into an account he controlled. Within days of the disbursement, he moved the funds to
other accounts he controlled. This included nearly $75,000 to an account belonging to a romance fraud
victim who had been misled as to the origin of the funds.
This is a joint investigation with the FBI and the USPIS. United States v. Obinna Nwafor (E.D. Virginia)
Report allegations of fraud, waste, and abuse concerning DOL programs and operations to the
OIG hotline via 800-347-3756 or www.oig.dol.gov.
6
OIG Investigations Newsletter
Volume 51, February 1, 2024–March 31, 2024
Former Tax Preparer Pled Guilty in an Unemployment Insurance Fraud Scheme
On February 20, 2024, Christopher Niebel pled guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft for his
role in a scheme to submit fraudulent claims for UI benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic using stolen
identities.
Between April and May of 2020, Niebel, a former tax preparer and seasonal retail store manager,
fraudulently filed UI claims using stolen PII of victims without their knowledge or consent. Through his
employment at the store, Niebel had access to the employment verification forms of individuals who
were both employees and job applicants. He stole several forms and used the PII to file claims for PUA
benefits. Niebel intentionally used the PII of individuals who were not from Michigan, surmising it was
unlikely these individuals filed UI claims in the state. In furtherance of the scheme, he opened numerous
bank accounts in his own name and had the fraudulently obtained UI benefits deposited into those
accounts. Niebel spent the fraudulently obtained benefits on personal expenses, including hotels, lottery
tickets, and casino gambling. The loss amount associated with his actions totaled more than $510,000.
This is a joint investigation with the IRS-CI, the USSS, and the MUIA. United States v. Christopher D.
Niebel. (E.D. Michigan)
Colombo Crime Family Captain Sentenced to 51 Months in Prison
On February 28, 2024, Vincent Ricciardo, aka “Vinny Unions,” was sentenced to 51 months in prison for
his participation in the long-running extortion of a senior official of a New York-based labor union and
other criminal schemes he carried out as a captain in the Colombo crime family of La Cosa Nostra. He
was also ordered to forfeit $350,000 and pay approximately $280,000 in restitution. In July 2023,
Ricciardo pled guilty to racketeering, and admitted to his participation in the extortion of the labor union
official and various conspiracies to commit money laundering, loansharking, and fraud in connection
with workplace safety certificates.
Ricciardo and his co-conspirators committed a variety of crimes including extortion, loansharking, fraud,
and drug-trafficking to enrich themselves and promote the continued operation of the Colombo crime
family. The Colombo crime family, including Ricciardo, agreed to the use of extortionate means,
including threats of bodily harm, to force a senior union official to give over a portion of his salary, as
well as make decisions that would financially benefit the Colombo crime family’s administration.
Ricciardo and his co-conspirators pressured the trustees of the union’s associated healthcare benefit
fund to select vendors who were associated with the Colombo crime family. The defendants sought to
divert more than $10,000 per month from the health fund’s assets.
Ricciardo also threatened to kill the senior union official, stating in a consensually recorded phone call
that the official would obey him because he knew Ricciardo would “put him in the ground right in front of
his wife and kids.”
This is a joint investigation with the FBI. United States v. Vincent Ricciardo (E.D. New York)
Report allegations of fraud, waste, and abuse concerning DOL programs and operations to the
OIG hotline via 800-347-3756 or www.oig.dol.gov.
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