Sign in Subscribe
Murder

Woman Sentenced to 7 Years for Leading Pandemic Benefits Fraud Ring

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A 38-year-old woman, currently incarcerated at the California Institution for Women in Corona, has been sentenced to 84 months in federal prison for leading a ring that fraudulently obtained approximately $1.5 million in California unemployment insurance benefits. The scheme, which lasted from June 2020 to April 2021, used stolen identities to make online applications for unemployment benefits, resulting in a total loss of $1,546,933. The woman, Natalie Le Demola, is serving a life sentence for first-degree murder and was also ordered to pay $933,181 in restitution.

Key Takeaways:

  • Natalie Le Demola was sentenced to 84 months in federal prison for leading a pandemic benefits fraud ring that obtained $1.5 million in California unemployment insurance benefits.
  • The scheme used stolen identities, including those of prison inmates, to make online applications for unemployment benefits between June 2020 and April 2021.
  • The total loss incurred by the conspiracy was $1,546,933.
  • Demola was also ordered to pay $933,181 in restitution.
  • 13 guilty pleas were secured in the case, and the investigation was conducted by the HSI-led Los Angeles El Camino Real Financial Crimes Task Force.
  • The scheme took advantage of taxpayers and community members in need, with funding intended to mitigate the risk to vulnerable American families in the wake of COVID-19 being stolen for personal enrichment.
  • HSI and their partners will continue to pursue those seeking to exploit these programs to ensure that Americans in need have access to the funding they are entitled.

Statistics:

  • The scheme obtained $1.5 million in California unemployment insurance benefits.
  • The total loss incurred by the conspiracy was $1,546,933.
  • 13 guilty pleas were secured in the case.
  • 237 U.S. cities, 93 overseas locations in 56 countries, have HSI presence as part of the largest DHS investigative law enforcement presence overseas.

Sources:

  • U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement news release.
  • Homeland Security Investigations Los Angeles Acting Special Agent in Charge Eddy Wang statement.
  • Prosecution sentencing memorandum.
  • HSI-led Los Angeles El Camino Real Financial Crimes Task Force original text: https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/hsi-led-task-force-secures-7-year-sentence-against-woman-covid-benefits-fraud

Read more