Johnny Neal Stole More than $17,000 in Unemployment Insurance Benefits While Employed at State Agency; Unlawfully Accessed Secret Taxpayer Information to Benefit Friends and Family
NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced the arrest of Johnny Neal, of Troy, NY, for filling false documents with the state in order to claim nearly $17,000 in unemployment insurance benefits. Neal filed for and collected the unemployment funds even though he was working as a supervisor for the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance (DTF). Additionally, Neal was charged with improperly using his position at DTF to access confidential tax information outside the bounds of his official duties.
“Unemployment insurance benefits have been a crucial resource in a difficult time for many New Yorkers,” said Attorney General James. “By fraudulently collecting these benefits, Johnny Neal both cheated taxpayers and stole from those who rely on unemployment payments. My office will ensure that anyone who commits fraud or violates the public’s trust will be held accountable to the full extent of the law.”
In order to obtain unemployment insurance benefits, a potential recipient must verify that they are not working or working below the requisite number of hours. Once a potential recipient verifies their employment status, the New York State Department of Labor (DOL) then determines if they are eligible for unemployment insurance payments and at what level.
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