INDIANAPOLIS (January 7, 2013) – Peru resident Clint D. Shepherd, 34, pled guilty December 13 in Miami County Superior Court II in Peru to unemployment insurance fraud, a Class D Felony. Shepherd purposefully defrauded the system by continuing to collect unemployment insurance benefits after returning to a full-time job following a layoff. 

The investigation began when Shepherd’s employer received a notice from the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) stating they were being charged for his unemployment insurance benefits. The employer notified DWD that Shepherd 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 investigated and was able to verify Shepherd worked full-time while receiving unemployment insurance benefits. 

“When someone continues to collect unemployment insurance benefits after returning to full-time employment, he or she is committing fraud,” said Scott B. Sanders, Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. “We take unemployment fraud seriously. It is a crime that affects everyone’s bottom line.” 

Shepherd received a sentence of three years on probation, but will serve the time in prison if he violates the conditions of his plea agreement. He must also repay DWD for the benefits he fraudulently collected, plus penalties and interest, totaling $23,610.75. 

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

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