MI Court Charges 4 Metro Detroit Residents In Unemployment Case

DETROIT — A group of four Metro Detroit residents are accused of stealing unemployment funds from the State of Michigan and California, Acting United States Attorney Saima S. Mohsin said on Tuesday in a news release.

Daeshawn Tamar Posey, 25, of Detroit, Chaz Duane Shields, 33, of Detroit, Cortney Shaquan Shields, 30 and Brittany Levett Witherspoon, 25, of Warren, are all charged with mail fraud, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud in a complaint, according to the news release.

While Cortney Shields remained in custody for a separate incident, officials arrested Posey and Witherspoon on Tuesday in the Metro Detroit area, and Chaz Shields was arrested in the Boston area on Monday.

"Taxpayer money diverted into the pockets of criminals means less money going to Michiganders who need help getting through this difficult time," Mohsin said. "These arrests reflect our ongoing commitment to investigating these schemes and bringing the people who commit these crimes to justice."

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The Detroit News said that Witherspoon posted a $10,000 unsecured bond and that Posey is being held temporarily without bond.

According to the news release, Chaz Shields, Posey and Witherspoon used social security numbers from other individuals, as well as using their own name to file over 240 unemployment claims in at least 20 different states totaling over $2.2 million.

Claims were also filed in Cortney Shields' name even though he was already in jail and ineligible to receive benefits.

All four individuals received unemployment benefits deposited into a variety of bank accounts, some connected to pre-paid debit cards. They then used the illegally obtained unemployment benefits to purchased an array of luxury items, such as luxury vehicles and jewelry.

Prosecutors will determine whether or not to seek a felony indictment at the conclusion of the investigation, as a trial cannot be held on felony charges in a complaint.