Exeter Woman Pleads Guilty to Unemployment Fraud

Department of Employment Security Commissioner George Copadis and New Hampshire Attorney General Joseph A. Foster announced today that Sarah Pottle of Exeter, pleaded guilty and was sentenced on Aug. 28, 2015 to one count of class A felony unemployment compensation fraud, according to a press statement.

Between Sept. 1, 2014 and Jan. 21, 2015, Pottle filed 19 weekly claims for unemployment compensation benefits while knowingly failing to report her employment as a licensed nursing assistant in order to obtain unemployment compensation benefits.

Pottle received a sentence of 12 months in the House of Corrections, with all but seven days suspended for two years conditioned on good behavior, restitution in the amount of $5,719.00 plus a 20 percent penalty of $1,143.80, and meaningful participation in any counseling, treatment and educational programs as directed by the correctional authority. She is also disqualified from the receipt of unemployment compensation benefits for 52 weeks.

The Department of Employment Security provides unemployment compensation benefits to eligible claimants who are unemployed through no fault of their own. The department investigates and prosecutes both criminal and civil unemployment compensation fraud, with the goal of protecting New Hampshire’s unemployment fund, according to a press statement.