Phoenix, AZ – Three Arizona residents have been sentenced for their involvement in a scheme to fraudulently obtain federal unemployment benefits using the identities of prison inmates and other ineligible individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Likishe Jhanell Kelly, 43, of Phoenix, Antoinette Coleman, 36, of Glendale, and Christine Boston, 52, of Mesa, were sentenced by United States District Judge Susan M. Brnovich after admitting to filing false claims under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Kelly was sentenced to 36 months in prison and ordered to pay $375,094 in restitution to the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES). Coleman received five years of probation and was ordered to pay $19,678 in restitution. Boston was sentenced to 36 months in prison and must pay $97,596 in restitution.
The defendants admitted to submitting fraudulent applications for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits on behalf of inmates who had not lost employment due to COVID-19. Boston, while incarcerated, recruited Coleman and provided inmate information to facilitate fraudulent claims. Kelly then processed and submitted these applications, along with false certifications, and shared the funds with her co-defendants.
In total, between May and December 2020, at least 42 fraudulent applications were submitted, resulting in approximately $375,094 in illegally obtained funds.
“While pandemic relief was designed to help those in need, some individuals took advantage of the system to defraud the state,” said U.S. Attorney Gary Restaino. “These sentences and restitution orders send a clear message that such exploitation will not go unpunished.”
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, and the Arizona Department of Economic Security, with prosecution handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Brook.
For further information, please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona.
