(WBRE/WYOU) — A woman was charged with six counts of wire fraud for allegedly obtaining COVID-19 emergency relief unemployment benefits for herself and ineligible prison inmates.
According to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Muneerah Abdullah, 45, of Chester, PA allegedly filed Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) claims for herself and other ineligible recipients, including prison inmates.
Abdullah allegedly made claims of being unemployed as a result of COVID-19, provided false employment or wage history, and falsely stated that the applicant was willing and able to work each day and seeking full-time employment.
According to the attorney’s office, Abdullah received kickbacks when she filed fraudulent claims for PUA with another’s information.
The U.S. Department of Justice says the PUA program was designed to provide unemployment benefits to individuals not eligible for regular unemployment compensation or extended unemployment benefits.
