Monday, April 23, 2012

Illinois steps up efforts to fight jobless benefits fraud


The Illinois Department of Employment Security and Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office have created two prosecuting attorney positions to help the agency's investigative staff combat unemployment benefits fraud, IDES director Jay Rowell announced Monday.

"Stealing money from those who play by the rules hurts our economy and cannot be tolerated," Rowell said in a news release. "We will use every tool in our possession to help those who want to help themselves and prosecute scammers to the fullest extent of the law."

The prosecutors, assistant attorneys general, who have begun work. "The IDES recovered $73.8 million in stolen benefit payments between calendar years 2009-2011," the release said. "More than $42 million dollars has been collected in tax garnishments so far in 2012."

The two prosecutors will be paid through IDES funds, and will work under Madigan.

"These attorneys will provide critical support in our ongoing efforts to recover money lost through fraud and criminal conduct," Madigan said in a news release. "At a time when essential government programs are facing budget cuts and families throughout Illinois are struggling, we are working to ensure that unemployment insurance benefits are going to people who need them."

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