Woman Pleads Guilty to Scheme Using Stolen Identities to Obtain Unemployment Insurance Benefits

Strategic Insights -

A South Los Angeles woman, Mykara Destiny Robinson, 24, pleaded guilty to a federal charge of bank fraud in connection with a conspiracy that used stolen identities of California prison inmates and others to fraudulently obtain at least $993,181 in state unemployment insurance (UI) benefits. The scheme, led by Natalie Le Demola, who is serving a life sentence for murder, began in June 2020 and involved 13 defendants who pleaded guilty to various charges, including conspiracy to commit wire and bank fraud, bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft.

Key Takeaways:

  • The conspiracy, led by Natalie Le Demola, used stolen identities to obtain at least $993,181 in state unemployment insurance benefits.
  • The scheme involved 13 defendants, including Mykara Destiny Robinson, who pleaded guilty to bank fraud.
  • The defendants used personal identifying information (PII) of individuals, including identity theft victims, to make fraudulent online applications for UI benefits from the California Employment Development Department (EDD).
  • Members of the conspiracy received EDD-funded debit cards that allowed them to withdraw money from ATMs across Southern California.
  • Robinson and her co-conspirators withdrew a total of approximately $68,742 in fraudulently obtained EDD funds from ATMs in Southern California between August and October 2020.
  • The scheme began in June 2020 and was investigated by the Los Angeles El Camino Real Financial Crimes Task Force, a multi-agency task force led by Homeland Security Investigations.
  • Most defendants will face a statutory maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison.
  • Demola pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud, three counts of bank fraud, and one count of aggravated identity theft, and faces up to 32 years in federal prison.
  • The investigation was conducted by a team of multiple agencies, including the Los Angeles El Camino Real Financial Crimes Task Force, the California Employment Development Department, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and the United States Department of Labor - Office of Inspector General.

Statistics:

  • At least $993,181 in state unemployment insurance benefits were fraudulently obtained using stolen identities.
  • 13 defendants pleaded guilty to various charges related to the scheme.
  • 151 fraudulent accounts were used to withdraw EDD funds during the scheme.
  • Robinson and her co-conspirators withdrew approximately $68,742 in fraudulently obtained EDD funds between August and October 2020.

Sources:

  • United States Attorney for the Central District of California (no date provided)
  • 39-count indictment returned in May 2022
  • Original text available at https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr/south-los-angeles-woman-pleads-guilty-scheming-others-use-stolen-identities