SCHENECTADY – A Schenectady male was sentenced Tuesday to up to 7 many years in state jail for the theft of additional than $50,000 in unemployment benefits, the state Inspector General’s Office environment explained.

Eric Amoako-Attah, 33, of Schenectady, gained a whole phrase of 3.5 to 7 years in point out prison on his responsible plea earlier to third-diploma grand larceny.

Amoako-Attah admitted he stole the identities of at least 4 persons to get the unemployment insurance policy payments, which he then used to fund a new apartment, expensive dresses and appliances, and a BMW, Inspector General’s officials mentioned.

He was also ordered to shell out a lot more than $52,000 in restitution and forfeit much more than $18,000, officials said.

“While the COVID-19 pandemic modified the way the environment operates, criminals like this personal have found elaborate strategies to exploit the social security nets that so many innocent persons depend on to endure,” Inspector General Letizia Tagliafierro mentioned in a statement. “As this circumstance demonstrates, our office is dedicated to making certain the integrity of these important social applications and holding these who steal from the general public accountable for their steps.”

An investigation by the Place of work of Welfare Fraud Inspector Typical discovered that concerning July and October 2020, Amoako-Attah fraudulently filed on the web promises for unemployment benefits, like for pandemic-connected benefits, utilizing the names and data of 4 different men and women, officers reported. The benefits were then positioned on EBT cards.

Investigators considered video footage that confirmed Amoako-Attah at the locations recognized on the EBT cards’ transaction background documents, together with Stewart’s, Walmart, Value Chopper, Michael Kohrs, and Laced Up Albany, officers mentioned.

Amoako-Attah experienced been on parole in a previous circumstance due to the fact March 11, 2020, and his parole officer informed investigators he was suspicious as Amoako-Attah experienced lately possessed sufficient funds to make a deposit on a new condominium, officers said. 

Then, on a plan home check out, the officer observed several objects bought utilizing the stolen cash, which include Air Jordan sneakers, new wintertime jackets, a big tv, new bedding, new kitchen area appliances and a purse, officers claimed.

He then purchased a 2003 BMW right after the playing cards were issued, officers reported.

State inmate records exhibit Amoako-Attah’s past scenario concerned 2018 Schenectady convictions for initially-degree prison contempt and third-degree tried criminal possession of a managed substance. He gained a sentence of 2 to 4 a long time in jail in that circumstance.

The Schenectady County District Attorney’s Office prosecuted the scenario. Condition police produced the arrest and the state Division of Labor, condition Department of Corrections and Local community Supervision and Schenectady County Department of Social Expert services investigated.

Categories: Information, Schenectady County