Criminal prosecutors added to IDES to fight unemployment benefits
fraud
New
positions will step up enforcement, recoup taxpayer dollars and
prosecute offenders
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[April 24, 2012]
CHICAGO -- As part of Gov. Quinn's
ongoing effort to combat unemployment fraud and protect taxpayer
dollars, two prosecuting attorney positions have been created to
assist the investigative staff at the Illinois Department of
Employment Security. IDES Director Jay Rowell made the announcement
Monday.
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Under the governor's direction, the partnership between IDES and the
attorney general's office will enhance unemployment fraud
enforcement efforts. The prosecutors, who are assistant attorneys
general, will allow the IDES and the attorney general's office to
increase fraud prosecutions involving the unemployment insurance
program. The new IDES prosecutors also will allow the IDES to pursue
criminal proceedings in cases that would have been targeted only for
the recovery of the stolen benefit dollars, largely through tax
garnishments.
"Unemployment insurance benefits are designed to help hardworking
individuals and the small businesses they patronize survive an
economic crisis. Stealing money from those who play by the rules
hurts our economy and cannot be tolerated," Rowell said. "We will
use every tool in our possession to help those who want to help
themselves, and prosecute scammers to the fullest extent of the
law."
The assistant attorneys general, who have already begun work,
will be under the direction of Attorney General Lisa Madigan and
will be paid through IDES funds.
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"These attorneys will provide critical support in our ongoing
efforts to recover money lost through fraud and criminal conduct,"
Madigan said. "At a time when essential government programs are
facing budget cuts and families throughout Illinois are struggling,
we are working to ensure that unemployment insurance benefits are
going to people who need them."
The IDES recovered $73.8 million in stolen benefit payments in
calendar years 2009-2011. More than $42 million has been collected
in tax garnishments so far in 2012.
Quinn identified three primary goals when he appointed Rowell
less than one year ago: Use benefit dollars to help families stay
afloat during difficult economic times; protect taxpayers by
guarding against waste, fraud and abuse; and transform the
unemployment office into an employment agency by connecting workers
ready to work with businesses ready to hire. Creating the two
prosecuting positions helps achieve the governor's ongoing
objectives for the IDES.
[Text from
Illinois
Department of Employment Security
file received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information] |