D.C. Hands Out Mass Firings As Employees Caught Collecting Unemployment While Working
- Posted on April 18, 2012 at 12:57pm by
Becket Adams
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Washington, D.C., Mayor Vincent C. Gray’s administration has fired 61 public employees for collecting unemployment benefits while working for the city, the Washington Post reports.
“The city’s Department of Employment Services [DOES], which oversees the jobless-compensation program, said in February that dozens of current and former city workers had received the fraudulent payments,” the Post report adds.
Washington, D.C., Mayor Vincent Gray
The scam, which was started in 2009, issued fraudulent checks ranging from a couple hundred to thousands of dollars per employee. All told, estimates put the total amount scammed at about $800,000. So far, Gray’s administration has taken action against 92 employees (including the aforementioned 61 employees who have been let go).
“We’re not going to tolerate this kind of activity in the government,” said Pedro Ribeiro, Gray’s spokesman. “The matter’s been turned over to the Office of the Attorney General, which will use civil litigation to recoup the money,” he said, adding that Attorney General Irv Nathan “is planning to use the full extent of his authority.”
DOES Director Lisa Mallory said that since the February suspensions, the agency had uncovered overpayments to more current employees, the Post reports.
“We found another batch of 100,” she said in an interview Tuesday.
The Office of the Inspector General, which has collected guilty pleas in eight similar investigations since December 2010, has joined with the Attorney General’s office to conduct the investigation, the Post reports.
“City officials have declined to list names, job titles or departments of those who received the payments, citing personnel laws,” the Post’s Nikita Stewart writes.
“But Nathan has said many of the workers were in the Office of the State Superintendent of Education and described them as drivers,” she adds.
Officials expect the number of employees involved in the scam to grow. That is, they expect more layoffs. However, two employees managed to get away with being handed suspensions while another was allowed to return to work after paying back the scammed cash.
The justification for handing out suspensions (i.e. a slap on the wrist) for what would seem like a pretty big deal?
“[T]he amount [scammed] was significantly low or it was an oversight,” Ribeiro said.
In order to figure out how deep the corruption runs, DOES is conducting an audit of payments distributed since 2009.
“With the help of funding from the U.S. Department of Labor, the city agency said it has instituted a more comprehensive cross-checking system that compares city payroll lists, a national database of new hires and unemployment recipients,” Stewart writes.
As if the D.C. mayor needed to add anything else to the growing list of problems tied to his administration.
“We are not going to stand for any abuse in any of these programs,” Mallory said.
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Comments (116)
lstoddard004
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 1:56pmWhat “two employees got away from suspensions, and one employee was allowed to return to work after paying back the scammed cash”?! This is ridiculous!! Prosecute to them all for fraud. This was tax payer money. No toleration for abuse!!! On a side note, doesn’t it seem odd that during Obama’s reign we are seeing corruption within the GSA agency, Green agencies handing our billions to non-solvent green companies, Secret Service scandal, and now the Department of Labor. Oh boy!
Report Post »000degrees
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 8:19pmSo let me get this straight, The U.S. Dept of labor ponied up taxpayer money to help with more oversight in D.C. in regard to waste and fraud of taxpayer dollars by slugs that probably don’t pay taxes anyway…What could go wrong here? I love how the mayor makes us all feel better by telling me it won’t be “tolerated”…….yea, sure…..business as usual.
Report Post »oneshiner
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 10:01pmTime to fine tune all the Government agencies for fraud. Just too coincidental that so many are being
Report Post »outed here recently with out and out scams. The GSA, now a major city in America, how many more?
A bunch, is my guess. Too many people are looking for ways to get something for nothing. We’ve all heard stories about these things and do nothing about it. I bet they will find 35% are scamming us one way or another, and that’s a low guess.
PASSIONFORCHRIST
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 11:15pmDon’t forget about the SEC employees paying for porn sites 8+ hours a day, and taking their work home w/them! DIDN’T HEAR OF ANY ONE OF THEM FIRED OR PROSECUTED!
Report Post »pamela kay
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 3:18amLSTODDARD004, Oh boy is right. One word…..TIMING…..suddenly this is an effort to show that they are serious about wasteful spending? Now how far from the 2012 election are we? Very interesting.
Report Post »Bill Rowland
Posted on April 19, 2012 at 7:29amThis type of behavior goes back to Mayor Barry and the DC School Board. Barry still serves on the city council despite a conviction for cocaine possession and use. The DC School Board members did(and may still) have chauffer driven cars and the drivers were DC Policemen being paid from the PD Budget. The School Board members were the highest paid in the country, making overr $100,000 and thats in 1990 dollars.
Nothing that happens in this corrupt atmosphere should surprise you. It seems like they spend their time on the job looking for ways to rip off the taxpayer.
This is standard politics in several of our major cities. Just look at Chicago and how many govenors from Illinois are in (or have been) in jail for bribery or other malfesance in office.
OMG 2012
Report Post »Shasta
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 1:54pmGreat. Now we have fools on from both sides of ideology pumping up this race crap. No one group is all anything. Get a life
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 2:51pmI would like to see photos of each and everyone of these fine upstanding Democrats….. Any guesses anyone ?????? Hmmmmmmmm? I have my suspicions ……
Report Post »Marci
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 2:58pmSo, in reality—the lid was about to be taken off, so they fessed up. You have to wonder what is about to happen that they suddenly revealed this little scam. The government needs to shrink in a big way—all it does is produce fraudulent groups of people who live off the taxpayer for a paycheck while doing as little as possible and then they get bored and find ways to further squeeze the taxpayer through fraud. A smaller, and very accountable government is necessary.
Report Post »marhee9
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 3:00pmBut wait a minute. The liberals keep telling us that nobody abuses the entitlement system. This seems to caontradict that, as if we needed absolute proof. Teach a man to fish, he eats a lifetime, give him a fish…..he votes Democrat. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xW8uKxXitAc
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 3:01pmEliminate their pensions if retired. Everyone should start turning in this type of thief. And tell others of it, including the town or city police, local reporters, local radio. But don’t make up stories, it must be true. Unlike the DEMOCRATS who throw crap against the wall and see what sticks.
Report Post »omgfolks
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 3:14pmNot surprising this is happening, after all they see what goverment waste and thought they could share in it. Just goes to show way too much goverment means way to much waste.
Report Post »drbage
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 3:48pmI guess to work for the local government in D.C., you don‘t need that pesky thing called a social security number or are they still doing all their work manually so a computer couldn’t be programmed to check for payments made to the same SSN?
Report Post »oneshiner
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 9:53pmThe silly little surveys asking if fraud is rampant and most say it’s not that bad. I’d say if they caught
Report Post »that many people in one city double dipping, it’s probably that bad all over the Country. No wonder the unemployment figures are up so high…….entire groups are double dipping and should be charged with repaying or going to prison.
I bet if they people administering unemployment checks double checked, they’d find out this is very common in many places. Shame on those skrewing the rest of the country with their fraud games.
youdidthis
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 1:44pmstopped paying taxes in 2001 nov 10…
anyone take a guess why?
2 trillion missing
Report Post »http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=2+trillion+missing&oq=2+trillion+missing&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_nf=1&gs_l=youtube-psuggest-reduced.12…1501517.1518411.0.1520942.27.23.0.0.0.2.237.2867.2j18j1.23.0.
MrObvious
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 10:02pmIf you don’t own anything, don‘t have a bank account and don’t have a job, you’ll be fine.
Report Post »Otherwise, sooner or later, they’re going to just take all of it.
16th Amendment sucks – literally.
dlnsopinion
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 1:42pmSo if you get fired for collecting unemployment while working, do you now get to collect unemployment because you are not working?
Report Post »Rowgue
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 1:59pmIn most states you don’t qualify for unemployment benefits if you were justifiably fired. Unemployment is supposed to be for people who’s jobs were eliminated, not for dirtbags that keep getting fired.
Of course that’s not how it happens in reality. Unemployment has just become the new welfare.
Report Post »Mateytwo Barreett
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 2:14pmYou really shouldn’t need it. Fraud used to be a offence that was punishable by imprisonment!
Report Post »toto
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 2:36pmGreat question! Sad answer. How about a new lottery where the winner is the one the finds and exposes the most fraud in government. Make it cover local, state, and national government.
Report Post »Countrygirl1362
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 4:52pmUnion people get unemployment when they choose to be off the job walking the picket line. Using that as an example, they probably will. What I don’t understand is why they all have not been arrested. Fraud is fraud. And this is not only fraud but thief.
Report Post »gpk
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 1:40pmHeck charge admission, have a nice BBQ then hang them all.
Report Post »youdidthis
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 1:36pmIgnorance Is Bliss — Gullible Public Or Lying Media & Government Or All Of The Above
Report Post »http://www.infowars.com/ignorance-is-bliss-gullible-public-or-lying-media-government-or-all-of-the-above/
Baddoggy
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 1:35pmThe food stamp millionaire lottery winner got arrested. Same should go for tese people. I would say life without parole…prison would be week old bread, water and hard labor…..I can dream cant I?
Report Post »youdidthis
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 1:39pmchain gang…clear the swamps and deserts.
Report Post »old white guy
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 2:32pmhell no. they then eat free forever.
Report Post »brezzeone
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 4:27pmIf you put them in jail, they will just have a family renewen.
Report Post »MerryColin
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 6:15pmNO! Don’t clear the deserts! I love the Sonoran (AZ). But, definitely clear the swamp that is D.C. Our Sheriff Joe has many willing and able chain gang volunteers. Really, sit in jail or be outside on work duty? The libturds accuse him of abuse when they line up for the gang. No kiddin’
Report Post »Bluebonnet
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 10:28pmWe need more Joe Arpaio’s running prisons. Tents, baloney sandwiches for lunch, pink underwear.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 1:31pm‘I’m shocked’… ‘there is’ cheating ‘going on, here’!
Report Post »MAMMY_NUNN
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 2:31pmI‘m shocked also don’t tell me they belonged to a union.
Report Post »We have a very bad problem they are addict‘s they can’t help themselves and yes it is a real problem just like a crack or heroin addict they need to be fired and receive treatment my suggestion prison time where they will have no access to taxpayers money.
13th Imam
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 3:37pmPrison is run on Taxpayers money.
Report Post »janete66
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 1:30pmSo who is watching the store? The government has the ability to cross check unemployment files and payroll files and find out about this fraud. Just plain lazy and unmotivated.
Report Post »MAMMY_NUNN
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 2:35pmThere is no independent oversight of Government programs that’s why they are all failing.
Report Post »MAMMY_NUNN
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 2:36pmAlso no accountability.
Report Post »COFemale
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 10:10pmI think you misunderstand. They were the department for overseeing unemployment. They added their names in during check runs with amounts. There is no unemployment file per say They never received unemployment officially.
Report Post »youdidthis
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 1:28pmNew Black Panthers: ‘White Man Is The Devil,‘ May Breitbart ’Rest In Piss’
Report Post »http://www.breitbart.com/Breitbart-TV/2012/04/17/New-Black-Panthers-Fox-Jews-And-Breitbart-Can-Rest-In-Piss-We-Apologize-for-Nothing-White-Devil
drphil69
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 1:28pmThey won’t name the people, so it is likely NOBODY GOT FIRED.
Just like NBC airing the edited 911 call from Zimmerman – who got fired? They won’t name him… so he probably got a PROMOTION.
Report Post »woodyb
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 5:49pmIt seems few people today know the difference between being laid off and being fired. The media are not helping the situation, since they use the two terms interchangeably.
One is LAID OFF when economic conditions necessitate a cutback in personnel — no wrong doing on the worker’s part. One who is LAID OFF is later eligible to return if/when business improves.
One is FIRED FOR CAUSE (such as misuse of company property or funds), and is NOT ELIGIBLE to return to work.
These DC employees were probably placed on administrative leave (WITH PAY) while further investigation takes place!!
Report Post »marine249
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 1:28pmSure am gona get me some moore of da there obama money
Report Post »10percenter
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 1:25pmwow what a surprise…..hooooohuuuum. That’s what happens when people are no longer taught morals, values, scruples, ethics……but, sex education, Agenda 21, and much,much more.
Report Post »oldguy49
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 1:36pmi believe that in florida the fine is 10,000.00 and jail time for doing this…………………of course thats for non gov workers
Report Post »lassiegirldawn
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 1:23pmThis is why we are in such a mess, obama’s aunt in her own words
Report Post »http://soquelbythecreek.blogspot.com/2010/11/is-america-great-country-or-what.html
lassiegirldawn
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 1:33pmIf people don’t stand up for crap like this we deserve what we get.
Report Post »Soquel by the Creek
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 2:41pmThanks for posting the link, LassieGirlDawn. For a while there, I thought I was the only one that had a problem with the entire situation.
In case you missed it, here’s another, directly from the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. As part of the 53% that actually pays federal income tax, where is the outrage?
“Individuals Who Are Not Authorized to Work in the United States Were Paid $4.2 Billion in Refundable Credits”
Report Post »http://www.treasury.gov/tigta/auditreports/2011reports/201141061fr.html
Chrison
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 1:20pm“The matter’s been turned over to the Office of the Attorney General, which will use civil litigation to recoup the money…”
Civil litigation??? If what’s being reported is true, this sounds more like criminal FRAUD to me! Enough of the “civil litigation”… where appropriate, these folks need to be thrown in jail!
Report Post »sWampy
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 1:36pmThey shouldn’t have been fired, they should have been made to keep working, lost their unemployment, been ineligible for unemployment for at least 10 years, and had their pay docked till the tax payers were 100% paid back.
Report Post »cuinsong
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 1:20pmObviously the Dim’s are all about a culture of steal all you can as often as you can for as long as you can untill you get caught then blame Bush!
Report Post »“What’s Wrong With This Song” http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_9134749
xCalix
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 1:16pmi bet no one will even know they’re missing.
Report Post »MittensKittens
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 1:27pmand it took them 3 years to figure it out…I’m so proud of those upstanding civil employees!
Report Post »randy
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 1:12pmThe scam, which was started in 2009
Report Post »Gee, what year was OBAMA elected?
momsense
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 1:12pm@Grimmy—–this is Washington D.C. figure it out For yourself—of course they‘re the government’s designated victims aren’t they?
Report Post »FN-FEDUP
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 1:11pmIf i stole i’d be in prison hmmmmm
Report Post »poster
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 1:10pmI’m going to take a guess here…. we’re not going to see names or faces. But I’m thinking there are a few Tashikas and LaQwans involved. These cities are hell holes. Democrat-controlled hell holes. Detroit, Baltimore, Philly, New Orleans, Miami, Boston, Chicago, Atlanta….
Report Post »jackact
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 1:09pmNever has so much government corruption been so evident as witnessed under the absent leadership of the hopelessly lost Obama administration.
Report Post »Who knew that ‘hope & change’ would cost so much?
……..We did!
SREGN
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 1:08pmWhat? For the amount of actual work government employees do they might as well be unemployed.
Report Post »Fat Pappy
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 1:08pmI‘m sure it’s happening in all 50 states. The bigger the government the bigger the ability to scam it.
Report Post »grimmy
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 1:08pmHow many of those fired, were black? We shall never know……..
Report Post »Female
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 1:12pmHow about asking how many are thieves instead?
Answer: 100%
Report Post »calonzap
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 1:27pmI’ll bet you a dollar to a doughnut hole that at least 95%, if not every single one of them, were black.
Report Post »flsnipe
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 1:32pmall but 1%
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 1:32pmGrimmy…Need to go bleach the sheet you use. I think it may not be white enough for the Klan…But you fit right in…
Report Post »