From Staff Reports

MONTGOMERY — The Alabama Department of Labor Commissioner Tom Surtees announced Thursday the department has successfully prosecuted several Alabamians for unemployment compensation fraud.

“We at the Alabama Department of Labor want people to know that we are aggressively pursuing cases of unemployment compensation fraud,” Surtees said. “Especially in these economic times, we want to make sure that all who are entitled to benefits receive them. But at the same time, we will not allow those who deliberately try to defraud the system to go unpunished. We are working with local district attorney offices to make sure that we can identify and prosecute those individuals who are committing these crimes.”

Frank J. Wilson, of Selma, was tried in Dallas County District Court on Jan. 9 and pled guilty to fraud.

An investigation by Labor’s Benefit Payment Control Section determined Wilson received a total of $1,325 in benefits to which he was not entitled.

Wilson pled guilty and was sentenced to 30 days in jail, which was suspended for two years pending restitution.  He was also required to pay court costs and restitution in the amount of benefits received illegally.

Suspected unemployment compensation fraud may be reported to the Alabama Department of Labor by calling (800) 392-8019.