INDIANAPOLIS – Brownsburg resident Danya Ogle, 34, pleaded guilty last week in Hendricks Superior Court 5 to unemployment insurance fraud, a Class C Felony. Ogle purposefully defrauded the system by collecting unemployment insurance benefits while working a full-time job. 

The investigation began when Ogle’s employer received a notice from the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) stating they were being charged for her unemployment insurance benefits. The employer notified DWD that Ogle was working full-time by completing a form that allows employers to dispute claims for unemployment insurance. This form is available online at www.in.gov/dwd/protest.pdf. Using agency records and information from the company, DWD investigators were able to verify Ogle worked full-time while claiming unemployment insurance benefits. 

“This is yet another example of a Hoosier employer working with the agency to protect these funds for those who are truly in need,” said Scott B. Sanders, Commissioner of the Department of Workforce Development. “I strongly encourage businesses to remain vigilant. Unemployment insurance fraud hurts everyone’s bottom line.” 

Ogle received a sentence of two years on probation, but will serve the time in prison if she violates the conditions of her plea agreement. She must also repay DWD the $39,492 in benefits she fraudulently collected. 

Each month, DWD sends employers a notice documenting their charges for former employees’ unemployment insurance benefits. This provides the employer an opportunity to dispute the claim for unemployment insurance benefits.

You can also help combat unemployment insurance fraud and abuse by reporting it online at www.in.gov/dwd/fraud. Your efforts will help ensure tax dollars are spent wisely and unemployment insurance benefits are only paid to people who are eligible to receive them. You do not need to provide your name or any other identifying information in order to file a complaint in regards to unemployment insurance fraud.