Branford Man Charged with Attempting To Scam Labor Department

BRANFORD, CT - Police said a Branford man was arrested Thursday and charged with using a bogus court document in an attempt to avoid being penalized and denied unemployment compensation.

Andre A. Smith, 36, was arrested and charged with criminal attempt to commit larceny by defrauding a public community and forgery, according to a release. (To sign up for Branford breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

The arrest is the result of an investigation into a complaint by the Connecticut Department of Labor police said, which administers the Unemployment Compensation program.

Police said Smith had filed a claim for unemployment benefits, but the labor department withheld payment to satisfy $5,175 in penalties and fees after he had previously collected benefits he was not entitled to.

The suspect subsequently submitted an altered court document to the Labor Department, which police said falsely implied a judge had ruled he did not have to pay the penalties.

Smith was released on a $10,000 non-surety bond and is scheduled to appear in court April 20, police said.

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