OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERALPress Releases
No Amount Too Small, No Fraud Too Large—And Counting: OIG Dismantles Gang-Fueled Pandemic Scam, Secures 40+ Convictions in New York and Tracks Millions in Stolen Benefits
July 23, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General
WASHINGTON — This week, with the support of President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance’s White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General has taken decisive action against fraudsters ranging from foreign national ID scammers to violent gangs funded by unemployment insurance (UI) fraud. Led by Inspector General Anthony P. D’Esposito, the Office of Inspector General continues to work hand-in-hand with federal, state and local law enforcement partners to identify, prosecute and hold accountable those who seek to defraud American taxpayers and workers. These cases send a clear message: No one who attempts to steal from critical labor programs for personal gain will escape justice. As the Task Forces efforts expand, the Office of Inspector General remains committed to safeguarding the integrity of the department’s programs and ensuring that public funds reach the workers and families who need them most.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Two Dominican nationals were sentenced for their roles in a multi-year identity theft scheme that fraudulently obtained Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and unemployment insurance benefits using stolen identities of American citizens. One of the conspirators, Jesus Matos Perez, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for using the stolen identities of two U.S. citizens over approximately 10 years to fraudulently obtain more than $75,000 in benefits. “Fraud is not a victimless crime; it strips vulnerable Americans of critical benefits they rely on. Alongside President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance’s White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, we will do everything in our power to protect these essential programs and the Americans who depend on them. No scheme is too complex, and no fraudster is beyond our reach,” said Inspector General D’Esposito.
NEW YORK — More than 40 gang members in New York were sentenced to prison for racketeering, violence, narcotics and firearms offenses, and fraud. Of those sentenced, 26 were convicted as members, associates, and co-conspirators of the violent street gang known as the Young Gunnaz (YG). These defendants were responsible for at least 13 shootings, multiple armed robberies, and a large-scale narcotics trafficking operation responsible for flooding the streets with various drugs. Several YG members also participated in a widespread scheme to defraud New York’s unemployment insurance program during the COVID-19 pandemic. In total, the defendants stole more than $1 million in fraudulent benefits and caused at least one of their victims to lose her entire disability social security payment. “Fraud isn’t just the theft of American taxpayer dollars, it fuels violent crime, corruption, and gang activity across the United States, jeopardizing the safety of Americans,” Inspector General D’Esposito added. “In partnership with Acting Secretary Keith Sonderling and Vice President J.D. Vance's White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, my office is shutting down these schemes. We are making America safer and more affordable again, one prosecution at a time.”
DES MOINES, Iowa — An Iowa woman, Victoria Tomeatre Green, was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison, a three-year term of supervised release, and ordered to pay nearly $30,000 in restitution for wire fraud. As a contract employee with Iowa Workforce Development, Green exploited her position to steal nearly $30,000 in unemployment benefits. She submitted 25 false benefit claims under her own name, and another 27 false claims improperly using the identities of innocent individuals. “By exploiting the identities of innocent individuals, Green brazenly stole funds intended to support unemployed American workers. Her guilty plea and sentencing reaffirm our unwavering commitment to pursuing fraud and holding every bad actor accountable,” said Inspector General D’Esposito. “If you attempt to defraud the system—whether by stealing identities or abusing public trust—we will track you down and ensure you face the full consequences.”
For additional information on DOL OIG, please visit oig.dol.gov. If you suspect wrongdoing involving DOL programs or operations, contact the DOL-OIG Hotline at (800) 347-3756 or oig.dol.gov/hotlinecontact.htm.
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