MONTGOMERY — Alabama Department of Industrial Relations Director Tom Surtees announced last week the Department has successfully prosecuted several Alabamians for unemployment compensation fraud. The following individuals were charged with violating the Alabama Unemployment Compensation Law by making false statements in claims for benefits.

Howard D. Dragg, of Selma, was tried in Dallas County District Court on Aug.14. An investigation by the Industrial Relations Benefit Payment Control Section determined that Dragg received a total of $2,720 in benefits to which he was not entitled.

Dregg pled guilty and was sentenced to 60 days in jail, which was suspended for one year pending restitution, and one year of unsupervised probation. He was ordered to pay court costs and restitution in the amount of benefits received illegally.

Rosetta Thomas, of Orrville, was tried in Dallas County District Court on Aug. 28. An investigation by the Industrial Relations Benefit Payment Control Section determined that Thomas received a total of $9,153 in benefits to which she was not entitled.

Thomas pled guilty and was sentenced to six months in jail, which was suspended pending restitution, and two years of unsupervised probation. She was ordered to

pay court costs and restitution in the amount of benefits received illegally.

Ronald Franklin, of Eufaula, was tried in Barbour County District Court on June 19. An investigation by the Industrial Relations Benefit Payment Control Section determined that Franklin received a total of $2,243 in benefits to which he was not entitled.

Franklin pled guilty and was sentenced to two years in jail, which was suspended, and two years of probation. He was ordered to pay court costs and restitution in the amount of benefits received illegally.

Tarvez Dion Anthony, of Auburn, was tried in Lee County District Court on Aug. 30. An investigation by the Industrial Relations Benefit Payment Control Section determined that Anthony received a total of $4,475 in benefits to which he was not entitled.

Anthony pled guilty and was fined $499. He was also ordered to pay court costs and restitution in the amount of benefits received illegally.

Kamla Cady, of Birmingham, was tried in Jefferson County District Court on Aug. 14. An investigation by the Industrial Relations Benefit Payment Control Section determined that Cady received a total of $1,813.51 in benefits to which she was not entitled.

Cady was found guilty and was sentenced to 90 days in jail, which was suspended for two years. She was ordered to pay court costs and restitution in the amount of benefits received illegally.

Eric D. Milton, of Wetumpka, was tried in Elmore County District Court on Aug. 21. An investigation by the Industrial Relations Benefit Payment Control Section determined that Milton received a total of $19,749 in benefits to which he was not entitled.

Milton pled guilty and was sentenced to six months in jail, which was suspended pending restitution, and two years of unsupervised probation. He was also ordered to pay court costs, a $100 fine, and restitution in the amount of benefits received illegally.

“We at the Department of Industrial Relations want people to know that we are aggressively pursuing cases of unemployment compensation fraud,” said Surtees. “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.”

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