Department of Workforce Development - News Releases

[DWD] Indiana Based IRS Employees Sentenced for Unemployment Insurance Fraud (5/22/2013)

Wed, 22 May 2013 17:30:00 GMT

Start Date:	5/22/2013	Start Time:	1:30 PM
End Date:	5/22/2013	End Time:	1:30 PM

INDIANAPOLIS – Over the past week two former United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) employees have been sentenced for unemployment insurance fraud. Carmen Brown, also known as Carmen Smith, 41, of Indianapolis, and Terri Wardell, 48, of Fishers, both pled guilty to unemployment insurance fraud. The two filed for and received unemployment insurance benefits while working full-time for the IRS. Smith illegally received nearly $14,000 in benefits. Wardell fraudulently collected over $18,000.

These convictions, as well as those and other arrests listed below are the culmination of an ongoing Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) investigation into IRS workers based in Indiana filing for and receiving unemployment insurance benefits while working full-time. The investigation began in the spring of 2012 when the IRS informed DWD personnel several employees were receiving benefits while working for the federal agency. DWD receives wage reports and new hire data from employers documenting who is employed and receiving compensation. DWD uses this information to ensure people are not collecting unemployment insurance benefits while working. Through these statements, IRS personnel were able to determine some of their Indiana-based employees were working full-time while collecting benefits and notified DWD investigators of the activity.

Other former IRS employees targeted in the investigation include:

Tracey L. Lewis, Indianapolis, 38, allegedly received $8,185.50

Angela Milton, Avon, 31, allegedly received $39,611.25

Je-Taun D. Finch, Indianapolis, 37, fraudulently received $8,787.25 – sentenced 3/8/13 to three years probation and ordered to pay restitution

Lorita K. Hiter, Indianapolis, 37, fraudulently received $4,581.75 - sentenced 3/13/13 to two years probation and ordered to pay restitution

Elizabeth A. Amos, Indianapolis, 45 fraudulently received $5,278.75 - sentenced 3/11/13 to two years probation and ordered to pay restitution

Sheila M. Hill, Indianapolis, 33, fraudulently received $14,296.25 - sentenced 3/22/13 to three years probation and ordered to pay restitution

Andrea Y. Jackson, Indianapolis, 28, fraudulently received $16,182.00 – still to be sentenced

“It does not matter who you are or who you work for, we work diligently to make sure those who take funds they are not eligible for, are held accountable”, said Scott B. Sanders, Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. “These funds are for Hoosiers truly in need and we take our job safeguarding these funds very seriously.”

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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[DWD] April 2013 Indiana Employment Report (5/17/2013)

Fri, 17 May 2013 14:00:00 GMT

Start Date:	5/17/2013	Start Time:	10:00 AM
End Date:	5/17/2013	End Time:	10:00 AM

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined by 0.2 percent to 8.5 percent in April, the largest one month decrease in over a year. Private sector employment in the Hoosier state also increased by 6,800 jobs over the past month and exceeded the national rate of growth. Indiana has now experienced private sector employment growth in 37 of the past 40 months.

April also recorded the biggest drop in the total number of unemployed in over a year. Seven thousand, eight hundred fewer Hoosiers were reported unemployed in April than reported in March. Weekly claims for unemployment insurance also decreased by more than 14 percent over the past month and initial claims continue to remain below 2005 levels.

“April’s employment picture is cause for cautious optimism,” said Scott B. Sanders, Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. “There is quite a bit more work to do, but things seem to be moving in the right direction, as evidenced by the largest drop in the unemployment rate in over a year.”

Sanders also noted that while the number of manufacturing jobs declined in April, manufacturing hours, which climbed to 42.4, have either remained consistent or increased for the fifth consecutive month and have been above the national average for the past four months. The sustained increase in hours for Indiana’s manufacturing production workers combined with sizeable increases in temporary manufacturing worker hires point to tangible growth potential in the sector.

Employment by Sector

Sectors showing gains in April include: Trade, Transportation & Utilities (4,600), Professional & Business Services (3,800) and Private Educational & Health Services (3,300). The Construction (-2,600) and Manufacturing (-2,500) sectors showed declines. Total non-farm employment increased in April (4,400).

Midwest Employment Picture

	April 2012	March 2013	April 2013	Monthly Change
Indiana	8.3%	8.7%	8.5%	-0.2%
U.S.	8.1%	7.6%	7.5%	-0.1%
Illinois	8.8%	9.5%	9.3%	-0.2%
Kentucky	8.2%	8.0%	7.9%	-0.1%
Michigan	9.1%	8.5%	8.4%	-0.1%
Ohio	7.3%	7.1%	7.0%	-0.1%

EDITOR'S NOTE: The May 2013 Employment Report will be released on Friday, June 21, 2013.

Links to the data used to compile the monthly employment report are listed below:

Employment Report (LAUS)

Jobs Report (CES)

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[DWD] State Budget Provides Increased Funding for Occupational Skills Training (5/14/2013)

Tue, 14 May 2013 14:30:00 GMT

Start Date:	5/14/2013	Start Time:	10:30 AM
End Date:	5/14/2013	End Time:	10:30 AM

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) announced today that the WorkINdiana program received a sizeable increase of funding through the state budget signed last week by Governor Mike Pence. This program offered through WorkOne enables Hoosiers to earn a career certification along with their high school equivalency credential free of charge. The 2013 biennial budget, passed this legislative session by the Indiana General Assembly, dedicates $5 million over the next two years specifically to the WorkINdiana program, a first for the 2-year-old occupational skills training initiative. Prior to this infusion DWD had to rely on dwindling federal discretionary funds to administer the program, which began in 2011.

WorkINdiana participants can choose from more than 30 certification programs in high wage, high demand industry sectors such as Advanced Manufacturing, Business Administration and Support, Health Care, Hospitality, Information Technology or Transportation and Logistics. Since WorkINdiana’s inception, more than 800 individuals have enrolled in the program. Over 80 percent have gone on to completion. With the additional state funding, DWD estimates around 1,500 more students can be served in the next year alone. More information about WorkINdiana, including how to enroll, can be found at www.workoneworks.com in the “Job Seekers” section.

“We are very pleased Governor Pence and the Indiana General Assembly have seen the value of the WorkINdiana program and have chosen to make it a significant priority,” said Scott B. Sanders, Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. “Helping Hoosiers learn the skills they need to be relevant in the job market is a basic building block to improving Indiana’s economy.”

Sanders also noted information about many other free WorkOne education and training programs is located online at www.workoneworks.com.

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[DWD] Logansport Woman Pleads Guilty to Unemployment Insurance Fraud (5/2/2013)

Thu, 2 May 2013 04:00:01 GMT

Start Date:	5/2/2013	Start Time:	12:00 AM
End Date:	5/2/2013

INDIANAPOLIS – Logansport resident Shawna L. Osburn, 41, pled guilty last Thursday in Cass County Circuit Court to unemployment insurance fraud, a Class D Felony. Osburn purposefully defrauded the system by underreporting wages earned from a part time job so she could receive more unemployment insurance benefits than what she was entitled to.

The investigation began when an Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) employee was notified by Osburn’s employer that she was receiving more in wages from a part time job than she was reporting to the agency. Using agency records and other information from Osburn’s employer, DWD investigated and was able to verify she was indeed falsifying the information she provided to the Department.

“Purposefully deceiving the agency so you can receive more benefits than you are entitled to is stealing, plain and simple,” said Scott B. Sanders, Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. “We appreciate the diligence of Ms. Osburn’s employer to help safeguard these funds for Hoosiers truly in need.”

Osburn was ordered to repay the $18,421 in benefits she fraudulently collected. She was also sentenced to 3 years probation, but will serve the time in prison if she violates the terms of her plea agreement.

DWD receives wage reports and new hire data from Hoosier employers documenting who is employed and receiving compensation. The agency uses this information to ensure people are collecting only the amount of unemployment insurance benefits they are entitled to.

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