BALTIMORE, MD—A Florida man has pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in a scheme to defraud Maryland and California of more than $2.3 million in unemployment insurance benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic.
David Godin, 34, of Miami, used stolen identities, virtual private networks and proxy servers to file 140 fraudulent claims in multiple states, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Baltimore. He received more than $1 million from the scheme and could face up to 20 years in federal prison.
U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes announced the guilty plea, along with Troy W. Springer, Special Agent in Charge of the DOL-OIG, and Kareem A. Carter, Special Agent in Charge of the IRS-CI, Washington, D.C. Field Office.
Between June 2020 and November 2023, Godin used the personal information of identity theft victims and anonymous email addresses to file the fraudulent claims, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a press release. He was able to aggregate unemployment information in separate accounts and avoid detection by state fraud safeguards.
Godin submitted at least 140 claims to Maryland, California and other state workforce agencies, totaling $2,364,226 in unemployment benefits. He received $1,087,345.66 from the scheme and is required to pay restitution of that amount as part of his plea agreement.
He must also forfeit any money, property or assets obtained through the scheme, including a money judgment of at least $1,087,345.66.
Godin faces a 20-year maximum sentence and a 2-year mandatory minimum sentence for wire fraud and identity theft. A federal district court judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. U.S. District Judge Matthew J. Maddox has scheduled sentencing for June 30, at 10 a.m.
The District of Maryland COVID-19 Strike Force, one of five nationwide established by the U.S. Department of Justice, investigates and prosecutes COVID-19 fraud, including fraud related to the CARES Act.
This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.
Photo via Pixabay
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