Two former Internal Revenue Service employees pleaded guilty and were sentenced last week for unemployment insurance fraud. Carmen Smith, 41, and Terri Wardell, 48, are two of ten former Indianapolis IRS employees that are the current targets of state investigators. The investigation was launched in early 2012, after the IRS informed the state that it believed several employees were receiving unemployment benefits while working full-time for the agency.
Smith, who also went by the name of Carmen Brown, received nearly $14,000 in benefits, according to the Department of Workforce Development. Terri Wardell collected more than $18,000. The length of their sentences is not available at this time.
“It does not matter who you are or who you work for, we work diligently to make sure those who take funds they are not eligible for, are held accountable”, said Scott B. Sanders, Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. “These funds are for Hoosiers truly in need and we take our job safeguarding these funds very seriously.”
Five other former IRS employees have already been sentenced:
- Je-Taun D. Finch, Indianapolis, 37, fraudulently received $8,787.25 and was sentenced March 8 to three years of probation and ordered to pay restitution.
- Elizabeth A. Amos, Indianapolis, 45, fraudulently received $5,278.75 and was sentenced March 11 to two years of probation and ordered to pay restitution.
- Lorita K. Hiter, Indianapolis, 37, fraudulently received $4,581.75 and was sentenced March 13 to two years of probation and ordered to pay restitution.
- Sheila M. Hill, Indianapolis, 33, fraudulently received $14,296.25 and was sentenced March 22 to three years of probation and ordered to pay restitution.
- Andrea Y. Jackson, Indianapolis, 28, fraudulently received $16,182.00 and is awaiting sentencing.
If you find yourself facing federal fraud charges, it is important to find an experienced insurance fraud attorney to represent you. The white collar attorneys of Parkman & White, LLC have a history of success in the court room and are ready to represent clients nationwide.
