San Bernardino County duo accused of stealing $2.1 million in pandemic-era unemployment benefits

The U.S. Attorney's Office revealed that Lisa Puente and Arthur Marquez were indicted for allegedly submitting over 120 fraudulent pandemic unemployment applications, resulting in a theft of $2.1 million over three years.

Puente and Marquez's fraudulent schemes included using the identities of incarcerated individuals and non-resident U.S. citizens to file applications, evading the requirement for supporting employment documentation.

Officials stated that each mail fraud count could lead to a substantial federal prison sentence, highlighting the severe consequences of their alleged identity theft and fraud activities during the pandemic.

Read at Los Angeles Times