SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10)– The Schenectady County District Attorney’s Office announced a Schenectady man was sentenced for his part in a COVID-19 unemployment fraud scheme. On Friday, Frederick Hollingshed, 58, received a prison sentence of 2 years and six months to five years, after being found guilty by a Schenectady County Jury in June.
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According to county officials, Hollingshed was found guilty of pretending to be someone else to apply for and obtain unemployment insurance benefits in November 2020, while also receiving benefits under his own name. The DA’s office said he fraudulently obtained $16,196 under the fake identity.
Investigators said the defendant reportedly logged into both his claim and the identity theft victim’s claim using the same computer, as well as called to certify both claims from the same phone number, minutes and seconds a part of each other. The trail revealed the benefits were paid out through KeyBank debit cards.
At trial, KeyBank records were presented to the jury, which included recorded phone calls from Hollingshed on his personal claim and the victim’s claim. Officials said his federal probation officer identified his voice on both calls…