PHOENIX — A California man was sentenced to nearly three years in prison on Wednesday for fraudulently filing nearly $500,000 in pandemic unemployment insurance claims, authorities said.
Ronnie Lamar Strawberry Jr., 39, of Los Angeles, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, according to a Wednesday news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona.
His sister, Raychelle Strawberry, also pleaded guilty to the same charge and was sentenced to five years of probation for her role, authorities said.
Details on siblings and pandemic unemployment insurance fraud
Strawberry and his sister filed false unemployment insurance claims that were a part of the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program, according to prosecutors.
The siblings used the personal identifiable information of more than 25 people, which included their names, birth dates and social security numbers.
The duo used the information to file online unemployment claims in both Arizona and California.
“The defendant exploited a national crisis for personal gain. He stole nearly $500,000 in pandemic relief funds that were meant to support struggling families and small businesses,” U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine said in a statement.
“This office will continue to investigate and prosecute those who stole from state and federal governments during the pandemic.”
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