Multi-State Unemployment Insurance Fraud Gains $4M in Pandemic Assistance Funds

A multi-state unemployment insurance fraud scheme led to a Pontiac, Michigan resident admitting to aggravated identity theft and wire fraud. Terrance Calhoun Jr. and co-conspirators submitted hundreds of fraudulent unemployment claims using stolen personal information across Michigan, Arizona, and Maryland, obtaining over $4 million in Pandemic Unemployment Assistance funds loaded on numerous debit cards.

Authorities discovered significant evidence including personal identification of victims and multiple debit cards during search warrants at related addresses. Charges against Calhoun Jr. include wire fraud, conspiracy, aggravated identity theft, and possession of unauthorized access devices, with potential sentences totaling decades in prison.

The case highlights ongoing challenges in protecting unemployment benefit programs from large-scale fraud, impacting state agencies and taxpayer resources. Multiple federal agencies coordinated the investigation, emphasizing a continued commitment to maintaining program integrity and prosecuting fraudsters to uphold public trust in unemployment insurance systems.