New Jersey Man Convicted of Stealing $570k in Unemployment Benefits

Jose Tavares of Englewood found guilty of conspiracy to commit wire fraud for pandemic-related unemployment scheme.

Jose Tavares, a 37-year-old resident of Englewood, New Jersey, was convicted on October 28, 2024, for his role in a scheme to steal over $570,000 in COVID-19 unemployment benefits. The conviction came after a five-day jury trial in Trenton federal court before U.S. District Judge Robert Kirsch. Tavares was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, a charge that carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and fines up to $250,000 or twice the financial impact on victims.

According to case documents, Tavares conspired with Yanira Abreu, 43, of Keasby, and Christopher Valerio, 34, of Perth Amboy, who have both previously pleaded guilty and been sentenced. The scheme operated from July 2020 through February 2021, during which Tavares and his co-conspirators submitted fraudulent unemployment claims to the New York Department of Labor (NYDOL). Using personally identifiable information—such as names, birth dates, and Social Security numbers—of individuals without their consent, they created fictitious profiles and filed claims. Once the claims were approved, debit cards loaded with funds were used for personal expenses, including vacations, luxury shopping, and cosmetic surgery.

The investigation was conducted by special agents from Homeland Security Investigations Newark, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General Northeast Region, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. The Economic Crimes Unit in Newark, led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Stark and Benjamin D. Bleiberg, prosecuted the case.

This conviction underscores the efforts of the District of New Jersey COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Strike Force, part of a nationwide initiative by the U.S. Department of Justice to combat pandemic relief fraud. These strike forces target large-scale, multi-state fraud by organized criminal groups and international actors who exploited pandemic relief programs. The collaborative teams utilize data-driven analyses to bring those responsible to justice.

Tavares is scheduled for sentencing on March 4, 2025. Authorities encourage anyone with information regarding COVID-19 fraud to contact the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the online complaint form on the Justice Department’s website.