COURT DOC: Buffalo Woman Arrested And Charged With Stealing Unemployment Benefits; Used Money To Pay For Plastic Surgery

DoJ announced that Shaneesha White, 25, of Buffalo, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with theft of government funds, fraud associated with disaster relief, and wire fraud.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard A. Resnick, who is handling the case, stated that in October 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor received information from the New York State Department of Labor that a federal prisoner was illegally receiving NYS unemployment insurance benefit payments. Subsequent investigation determined that the IP address associated with the unemployment claim was also associated with multiple other claims, including the defendant Shaneesha White. According to the complaint, a total of $48,833.15 was deposited onto…debit cards controlled by the defendant. The debit cards were in the name of White, and two others. The complaint further states that the defendant used the unemployment benefits to pay for various expenses including a trip to Florida, cosmetic surgery, footwear, and cosmetics. (Source: U.S. Department of Justice)