COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — A group of contractors is facing criminal charges after investigators linked them to millions of dollars in improperly released pandemic unemployment benefits.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress expanded the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program which sparked a historic increase in unemployment claims to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. The agency reported about $7.6 billion in benefits being issued in 2021 and identified millions afterwards as fraudulent.
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services referred the initial allegation involving TEKsystems subcontractor Ferris Johnson to the Office of the Ohio Inspector General on Aug. 22, 2024. Investigators determined that Johnson manipulated identity verification processes and eligibility documentation to wrongly release previously denied Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits to ineligible claimants…