RI Man Fraudulently Applied For Unemployment Across 5 States

PROVIDENCE, RI — Another Rhode Islander admitted to fraudulently applying for pandemic unemployment benefits in five states. Keishon Brown, 33, pleaded guilty to wire fraud last week.

Rhode Island U.S. Attorney Zachary Cunha's Office said the Providence resident submitted applications for unemployment insurance in Massachusetts, Arizona, Nevada, Virginia and California starting in May 2020. Though he lived and worked in Rhode Island, Brown claimed in his applications that he was unemployed and previously worked in each of the states. In total, Brown received $62,084 in fraudulent benefits.

Brown is scheduled to be sentenced April 26.

This latest case is one of several cases of fraudulent unemployment fraud in Rhode Island throughout the coronavirus pandemic. Last month, Providence resident Deeshawn Gadson admitted to applying for more than $20,000 in fraudulent benefits, about two weeks after 30-year-old Vallah Brown pleaded guilty in connection with approximately $49,000 in benefits from eight states.

Any Rhode Islanders who think their personal information was used for unemployment fraud is urged to reach out to the Rhode Island State Police by emailing financialcrimes@risp.gov or calling the FBI's Providence office at 401-272-8310.