Paulsboro Man Incarcerated for Large-Scale Unemployment Scam

Willie Carter of Gloucester County faces 21 months behind bars for defrauding unemployment insurance benefits exceeding $400K.

In a significant crackdown on fraud, Willie Carter, a 24-year-old resident of Paulsboro, NJ, has been sentenced to 21 months in prison after illicitly claiming over $400,000 in unemployment insurance benefits, as U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

The sentencing, handed down by U.S. District Judge Reneé Marie Bumb in Camden federal court, follows Carter's guilty plea to wire fraud charges via videoconference. From mid-July to October 2020, Carter orchestrated a scheme of submitting false claims across various states, capitalizing on the unemployment insurance system to amass substantial illegal gains.

The fraudulent activities were halted thanks to the concerted efforts of multiple federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the FBI, and the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General. Their collaborative investigation was pivotal in bringing Carter to justice.

Beyond the prison sentence, Carter must serve three years of supervised release and repay $469,582 as restitution for his crimes. U.S. Attorney Sellinger acknowledged the integral roles of Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Mellone, Postal Inspector in Charge Charles A. Nielsen, Acting Special Agent in Charge Richard Langham, and Inspector General Joseph V. Cuffari in the successful resolution of this case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Kogan of Newark's Cybercrime Unit represents the government in this case, marking a stern warning to potential fraudsters about the consequences of exploiting state resources.

The sentence underscores the federal judiciary's commitment to upholding the integrity of the nation's unemployment insurance system. It serves as a deterrent to those who might consider defrauding government programs designed to assist individuals genuinely in need during challenging economic times.