Meriden Man Illegally Collected Thousands In Unemployment Benefits: CT Dept. Of Labor

MERIDEN, CT — A 36-year-old Meriden man was arrested by state inspectors Thursday for allegedly collecting almost $5,000 in Unemployment Compensation benefits illegally.

Daniel Santos was arrested by inspectors from the Unemployment Compensation Fraud Unit in the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney and charged with one count each of first-degree Larceny by Defrauding a Public Community, and Unemployment Compensation Fraud.

"The arrest is the result of an investigation into a complaint by the Connecticut Department of Labor," wrote officials in a statement. "According to the arrest warrant affidavit, Santos fraudulently collected approximately $4,887 in unemployment benefits from March through June 2015 when, in fact, he was employed."

First-degree Larceny by Defrauding a Public Community is a Class B felony punishable by not less than one year nor more than 20 years in prison and/or up to a $15,000 fine, according to officials. Unemployment Compensation Fraud in excess of $500 is a Class D felony punishable by not less than 1 year nor more than 5 years in prison and/or up to a $5,000 fine.

Santos was released on a $10,000 non-surety bond and is scheduled to appear in New Britain Superior Court on Feb. 23.

The case is being prosecuted by the Unemployment Compensation Fraud Unit, which was established under a partnership between the Division of Criminal Justice and the Department of Labor to investigate and prosecute fraud in the Unemployment Compensation program. It is financed with funds provided by the U.S. Department of Labor. The charges are merely accusations and he is presumed innocent unless and until he is found guilty.

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