CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The suspect in a COVID-19 unemployment insurance fraud scheme was sentenced to 51 months in prison, August 7, 2024.
Evelyn Blevins of Souths Pittsburg, Tennessee pled guilty to Wire Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft for being involved in a scheme to defraud several state’s COVID-19 unemployment programs.
Blevins was ordered to pay the Department of Labor in Tennessee and California $109,683 in restitution.
She also has to forfeit $109,683 to the United States in part of a money judgement.
“The defendant’s actions cheated a program designed to assist people who were suffering
as a result of the COVID pandemic. Today’s sentencing exemplifies the continued commitment of the FBI and our federal and state law enforcement partners to hold those who engage in COVID relief fraud accountable for their actions,” said Joseph E. Carrico, FBI Special Agent in Charge.
From June 2020 to August 2021, Evelyn and others worked to create a scheme to defraud the United States government and the state governments of Tennessee, Alabama, Pennsylvania, and California to get funds from the COVID unemployment relief programs these states were offering.
Blevins took personal information from other individuals and falsely claimed these individuals worked in the states listed above.
She was responsible for the fraudulent distribution of almost $110,000.
