The state of Michigan has formed a new task force to prosecute people who commit unemployment insurance fraud.
The U.S. Department of Labor estimates about $26 billion in unemployment benefits offered through the federal CARES Act will be stolen.
Michigan has flagged some 340,000 active claims to investigate them for fraud.
Our number one priority is to weed out the criminals and pay legitimate Michigan claimants, so vulnerable workers continue to get the benefits they deserve. Jeff Donofrio
Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity director Jeff Donofrio says the task force will work to “disentangle the real Michiganders” who’ve been the victims of identity theft.
“Our number one priority is to weed out the criminals and pay legitimate Michigan claimants, so vulnerable workers continue to get the benefits they deserve,” says Donofrio.
The task force is led by the Michigan Attorney General’s office.
Donofrio says 600 state employees are working full time to verify claimant identities, with another 200 scheduled for training next week.
