8 Ex-GA Staffers Indicted In Multi-Agency Insurance Fraud Case

ATLANTA, GA — Eight former state employees were indicted last week after being accused of illegally obtaining nearly $171,000 in pandemic unemployment insurance benefits, state officials announced Thursday.

Attorney General Chris Carr said the group was indicted on July 27 by a Fulton County grand jury. According to the Office of the Inspector General, charges total eight counts of violation of Georgia Employment Security Law and 79 counts of false statements and writings.

The former staffers are accused of submitting fake claims and weekly certifications to the Georgia Department of Labor during the COVID-19 pandemic to receive unemployment while they were employed with the state.

Carr did not identify the state office where they worked but noted the employees held full-time positions.

The inspector general's office said anyone who received UI benefits during the pandemic were also eligible for federal supplements. Under the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program, supplements of $300-$600 per week could be provided to recipients at the time.

Under those circumstances, the inspector general's office said the former employees received about $170,931 in UI benefits and federal supplements.

“OIG has worked closely with DOL and the attorney general’s office in bringing this case for prosecution,” Interim State Inspector General Nigel Lange said in a news release. “Georgia public servants who seek to illegally further their own interests rather than those of the public they serve will be caught. These indictments send a clear message to any likeminded individuals. OIG is focused on reducing corruption in state government and relies upon the vigilance of its partner agencies to continue with the mission.”

A list of the defendants and their charges are as follows:

• James Neville: 19 counts of false statements and writings and two counts of violation of the Georgia Employment Security Law
• La-Kira Williams: 14 counts of false statements and writings and two counts of violation of the Georgia Employment Security Law
• Denice Vance: 10 counts of false statements and writings and two counts of violation of the Georgia Employment Security Law
• Divincia Richardson: 10 counts of false statements and writings and one count of violation of the Georgia Employment Security Law
• Willie Jones: 10 counts of false Statements and writings and one count of violation of the Georgia Employment Security Law
• Tamika C. Goodwin: eight counts of false statements and writings
• Curesha Blair: five counts of false statements and writings
• Regina Sterling: three counts of false statements and writings

This case was investigated by Georgia's inspector general's office and the U.S. Department of Labor - Office of Inspector General. Carr's office will prosecute the case.

“Government employees are entrusted to operate honesty and ethically, and those who do not will be held accountable,” Carr said in a news release. “We will not hesitate to pursue any individual who works for our state and seeks to illegally obtain public funds for their own personal gain. We are committed to protecting taxpayer dollars no matter the amount, and this type of fraud will not be tolerated.”