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Contract employee pleads guilty in unemployment insurance fraud scheme

By Deblina Munshi Last updated

Brandi Hawkins, a contract employee for the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency pleaded guilty for her part in a multi-million-dollar unemployment insurance fraud scheme, this Wednesday.

Her sentencing is scheduled for October 28. She faces a maximum of 20 years in federal prison.

In July, Hawkins was found releasing federal and state funds on fraudulent schemes by using insider access. $200,000 were found in cash at her home.

Hawkins expended $3.8 million of federal and state funds intended for unemployment assistance during the pandemic.

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Deblina Munshi

Deblina is a graduate of English Literature and Economics, currently working as a writer at USAnewshour.com. Deblina is passionate about reading and procuring knowledge from everywhere.