Keasbey Woman Gets 2 Years In Prison For COVID Fraud Scheme

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — A Woodbridge woman was sentenced to 24 months in prison last Thursday for conspiring to illegally obtain over $400,000 in COVID-19 unemployment benefits, said U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger.

Yanira Abreu, 42, of the Keasbey section of Woodbridge, previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

Prosecutors say from July 2020 through February 2021, Abreu, Christopher Valerio, 33, of Perth Amboy, and a third conspirator, Jose Tavares of New York City, submitted fraudulent applications for COVID-19 unemployment insurance benefits to the New York Department of Labor.

They created fictitious online profiles using other people's names, dates of birth and Social Security.

The NY state Department of Labor gave the three COVID-19 unemployment benefit cards totaling $444,728.

The Perth Amboy man previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced on April 30, 2024, to 30 months in prison. The case is still pending against the New York City man.