Great Lakes Wire

A Detroit resident, Danielle Moore, has been sentenced to 41 months in prison for her involvement in a scheme to embezzle unemployment assistance funds. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr., with support from Cheyvoryea Gibson of the FBI and Megan Howell from the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General.

Moore, aged 41, admitted guilt to charges of wire fraud conspiracy. Her sentence was delivered by United States District Judge Susan K. DeClercq. Employed as a claims examiner for the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, Moore confessed to accepting bribes in exchange for processing fraudulent claims. This misconduct led to approximately $1,507,057.08 being wrongfully disbursed by the State of Michigan.

In addition to her prison sentence, Moore is required to pay restitution equal to the amount stolen.

United States Attorney Gorgon emphasized their commitment "to prosecuting those who choose to profit through the theft of government funds earmarked for those members of our community who are truly in need."

Cheyvoryea Gibson stated that Moore's actions were both criminal and an affront to struggling families and businesses during a national crisis: “The FBI, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue to investigate and hold accountable anyone who chooses to defraud essential relief programs.”

Megan Howell highlighted that Moore facilitated at least 40 fraudulent claims for incarcerated individuals by abusing her access to sensitive information: “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate those who seek to exploit this critical benefit program.”

Jason Palmer, Director of Michigan UIA, expressed disappointment over Moore’s breach of trust: “Danielle Moore used her insider status... She failed her colleagues and failed the taxpayers of Michigan.”

Assistant United States Attorney Timothy J. Wyse prosecuted the case following an investigation conducted jointly by several agencies including the Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General and the FBI’s Detroit Area Public Corruption Task Force.