Man Gets 4 Days in Prison for Unemployment Compensation Fraud

CONCORD, NH - Department of Employment Security Commissioner George Copadis and Attorney General Joseph A. Foster announced on Jan. 6, 2016, that Jason O’Callaghan of Sandown, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to one count of class A felony unemployment compensation fraud.

Between March 1, and March 31, 2015, Mr. O’Callaghan filed four weekly claims for unemployment compensation benefits while knowingly failing to report his employment as a facilities engineer in order to obtain unemployment compensation benefits, according to a press statement.

O’Callaghan was sentenced to nine months in the House of Corrections, with all but four days suspended for two years conditioned on good behavior, restitution in the amount of $1,708 plus a 20 percent penalty of $341.60, 40 hours of community service, attendance at a Department of Employment Security Benefit Rights Interview, and meaningful participation in any counseling, treatment and educational programs as directed by the correctional authority.

Additionally, O’Callaghan was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $427 plus a 20 percent penalty of $85.40 for a civil fraud determination. He is 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.