Wanatah resident 54 year old Patrick Devereaux, pled guilty to unemployment insurance fraud in LaPorte County Circuit Court on Jan. 23rd. Through the use of agency records, an Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) employee began an investigation and determined that Devereaux was working and receiving wages while claiming unemployment insurance benefits. Devereaux was sentenced to 30 months of probation and ordered to repay DWD $11,941 for the benefits he fraudulently collected.
DWD receives wage reports and new hire data from Hoosier employers documenting who is employed and receiving compensation. The agency uses this information to ensure people are not collecting unemployment insurance benefits while working. You can help combat unemployment insurance fraud and abuse by reporting it online at www.in.gov/dwd/fraud.