ACCT 320
Current Event Report 3
UMGC
ACCT 320 Fraud Detection and Deterrence
It was revealed that four suspects are facing charges for an unemployment pandemic
benefits fraud in which they are said to have used personal details from over three hundred
inmates that resulted in over $300,000 in compensation. Mary Benton and Angel Cartwright,
both 38, reportedly joined forces with two convicts at two state prisons to compile personal
details, then used it to claim unemployment compensation, according to records. Benton claims
to have reportedly been competitive at one facility with 31 applications, while Cartwright-
Powers did exceptionally well at three others.
Inmates Ches Michael Lewis, 41, and Michael White, 38, got correctional facility details
from Lawrenceville. It was alleged that the four defendants divided the earnings from their
illegal activities. Although the conspirators had earned $436,337, much of the money was
recovered by the Virginia Employment Commission. Despite the Federal government and the
VEC offering extended unemployment insurance payments, prisoners could not receive them
since their records were false, as well as their being available and able to serve, and their
applications were refused.
Benton is facing one count of collusion, three charges of major disaster benefit evasion,
and three charges of fraud concerning false claims for misrepresentation The couple faces one
charge of collusion and two charges of bribery. Cartwright-Powers is being tried on one count
of catastrophe benefits conspiracy, one count of bribery, and one count of mailing of claims
under pretenses. The accused conspirators could be sentenced to a maximum of 5 years in jail
for the conspiracy and 30 years for each count of theft.
Cases such as this can be deterred by having a database that supports data of inmates
when people try to apply for benefits that they are ineligible for. The system should
automatically flag inmate names without having to reach out to the holding agencies due to
suspicion. The correctional facility needs to do a better job at monitoring its inmate's outgoing
communication. Also, more states should only allow for electronic filing to alleviate mail fraud.
Employers often received mail notification regarding employees request to receive
unemployment benefits but the turn around time to complete the forms are short and did not take
into effect that employers that are working from home which adds more time to get the mail and
fill out the form and sending back out to the agency. If employers were able to verify online that
would stop the funds from getting distributed so fast.
Unfortunately, we live in a database/ mining society where it seems to be easier for
people to steal your identity. We also rely heavily on these databases that hold this
information. Better protection and checks and balances need to be put in place to better
regulate who should be getting what.
Current Event Report 3
UMGC
ACCT 320 Fraud Detection and Deterrence
It was revealed that four suspects are facing charges for an unemployment pandemic
benefits fraud in which they are said to have used personal details from over three hundred
inmates that resulted in over $300,000 in compensation. Mary Benton and Angel Cartwright,
both 38, reportedly joined forces with two convicts at two state prisons to compile personal
details, then used it to claim unemployment compensation, according to records. Benton claims
to have reportedly been competitive at one facility with 31 applications, while Cartwright-
Powers did exceptionally well at three others.
Inmates Ches Michael Lewis, 41, and Michael White, 38, got correctional facility details
from Lawrenceville. It was alleged that the four defendants divided the earnings from their
illegal activities. Although the conspirators had earned $436,337, much of the money was
recovered by the Virginia Employment Commission. Despite the Federal government and the
VEC offering extended unemployment insurance payments, prisoners could not receive them
since their records were false, as well as their being available and able to serve, and their
applications were refused.
Benton is facing one count of collusion, three charges of major disaster benefit evasion,
and three charges of fraud concerning false claims for misrepresentation The couple faces one
charge of collusion and two charges of bribery. Cartwright-Powers is being tried on one count
of catastrophe benefits conspiracy, one count of bribery, and one count of mailing of claims
under pretenses. The accused conspirators could be sentenced to a maximum of 5 years in jail
for the conspiracy and 30 years for each count of theft.
Cases such as this can be deterred by having a database that supports data of inmates
when people try to apply for benefits that they are ineligible for. The system should
automatically flag inmate names without having to reach out to the holding agencies due to
suspicion. The correctional facility needs to do a better job at monitoring its inmate's outgoing
communication. Also, more states should only allow for electronic filing to alleviate mail fraud.
Employers often received mail notification regarding employees request to receive
unemployment benefits but the turn around time to complete the forms are short and did not take
into effect that employers that are working from home which adds more time to get the mail and
fill out the form and sending back out to the agency. If employers were able to verify online that
would stop the funds from getting distributed so fast.
Unfortunately, we live in a database/ mining society where it seems to be easier for
people to steal your identity. We also rely heavily on these databases that hold this
information. Better protection and checks and balances need to be put in place to better
regulate who should be getting what.
