Lawrence Woman Sentenced For Covid-Related Unemployment Fraud

LAWRENCE, MA — A Lawrence woman was sentenced to prison Thursday for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, in connection with a coronavirus-related unemployment benefit fraud scheme.

Raquel Pena, 40, was sentenced to three years in prison and one year of supervised relief, according to federal prosecutors.

Pena was also ordered to pay restitution for any money the government can't recover from the unemployment fraud scheme.

Pena pleaded guilty on July 15 to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.

As part of the March 2020 CARES pandemic relief package, the federal government created the temporary "Pandemic Unemployment Assistance" program, to provide benefits to people not eligible for other types of unemployment benefits.

"Pena possessed a notebook containing the names and personal information of others, which Pena and her co-conspirators used to file fraudulent PUA claims," prosecutors said. "Pena recruited acquaintances to receive the proceeds of the fraudulent claims into their bank accounts and give all or a portion of the cash to Pena."

Investigators connected Pena and her co-conspirators to $360,700 in unemployment claims paid between May 2020 and March 2021.

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