(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)LOS ANGELES – Sophisticated hackers, identity thieves and overseas criminal rings stole over $11 billion in unemployment benefits from California last year, but the extent of the fraud might grow far larger: billions more in payments are under investigation.
The program was approved by Congress to provide unemployment benefits to people during the coronavirus pandemic who are usually ineligible to receive them, such as independent contractors.
Prosecutors around the state have been targeting unemployment benefits fraud in recent months.
He also announced the prosecution of eight people, including six state prisoners, involved in two other unemployment fraud schemes.
Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla, all Democrats, urged President Joe Biden to create a federal task force to help states deter organized criminal fraud in jobless claims.