A total of eight defendants have been charged in a superseding indictment for submitting over $25 million in fraudulent unemployment insurance claims in the identities of inmates, minor children, and others to the California Employment Development Department (EDD) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The indictment was announced today by U.S. Attorney …continue reading
A former California Employment Development Department (EDD) employee was sentenced today to 63 months in federal prison for causing nearly 200 fraudulent COVID-related unemployment relief claims to be filed in other people’s names, resulting in nearly $4.3 million in ill-gotten gains. Gabriela Llerenas, a.k.a. “Maria G. Sandoval,” 44, of Perris, …continue reading
Top Ten Stories for September 2021 include unemployment fraud, LAUSD turmoil, child pornography, and a car show. The Top Ten Stories for September 2021 were the most read stories at Orange County Breeze over the month of September 2020 (excluding weather forecasts and events): Former inmate sentenced to five years …continue reading
Top Ten Stories for September 12 through September 18 include unemployment fraud, street closures, and the recall election. Top Ten Stories for September 12 through September 18 are the most-read stories at Orange County Breeze over the last week (excluding weather forecasts and events): Former inmate sentenced to five years …continue reading
Reps. Michelle Steel (CA-48), Kevin McCarthy (CA-23) and Josh Harder (CA-10) announced the introduction of The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Fraud Protection Act, legislation crafted in response to the billions of Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) fraud that has been stolen from American taxpayers. As part of COVID relief efforts, PUA was …continue reading
Rep. Michelle Steel (R-CA) joined top Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee Kevin Brady (R-TX), alongside House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), Republican Leader of the Worker and Family Support Subcommittee Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-IN) and 13 other Ways and Means Republicans, to introduce the Combatting COVID Unemployment Fraud Act of 2021 (H.R. 3268). The …continue reading
Top Ten Stories for March 2021 include unemployment fraud, OC returning to Red Tier, and a fatal pedestrian accident in Lakewood. The Top Ten Stories for March 2021 were the most read stories at Orange County Breeze over the month of March 2020 (excluding weather forecasts and events): COVID-19 unemployment …continue reading
Federal authorities this week arrested three Inland Empire residents on fraud charges alleging they used information belonging to California state prison inmates to file for pandemic-related unemployment benefits, with each causing at least $345,000 in losses. The three defendants are charged in separate criminal complaints, and each woman faces two …continue reading
Top Ten Stories for March 29 through April 03 include two black males shot in Long Beach, unemployment fraud, and investment risk. Top Ten Stories for March 29 through April 03 are the most-read stories at Orange County Breeze over the last week (excluding weather forecasts and events): Two black …continue reading
At a joint oversight hearing February 3, 2021 of the Assembly Insurance Committee and Joint Legislative Audit Committees, legislators questioned the Employment Development Department (EDD) regarding recently released audits which revealed a litany of failings. The hearing was centered around the State Auditor’s findings in “EDD’s Poor Planning and Ineffective …continue reading
Top Ten Stories for January 24 through January 30 include lifting the stay-at-home order, a fatal collision, and unemployment fraud. Top Ten Stories for January 24 through January 30 are the most-read stories at Orange County Breeze over the last week (excluding weather forecasts and events): State of California moves …continue reading
The Lincoln Club of Orange County today called for the resignation of California Governor Gavin Newsom over his gross incompetence and failure to oversee unemployment funds for Californians who desperately need a lifeline during the pandemic. The State today admitted as much as 27% of all unemployment claims paid, or …continue reading