COLUMBUS, Ohio — An Ohio Inspector General investigation found that three former contract employees working for the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services improperly released more than $3.2 million in pandemic unemployment assistance benefits as part of an alleged fraud scheme.
According to a report released Thursday, the investigation focused on claims processed through the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program, which was created during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide benefits to individuals who did not qualify for traditional unemployment compensation.
Investigators said the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services referred allegations involving TEKsystems subcontractor Ferris Johnson to the Inspector General’s Office in August 2024. A review found Johnson allegedly manipulated identity verification and eligibility issues to approve previously denied claims for individuals who were not eligible to receive benefits…