APRIL 2, 2015
Merrillville resident Shawndice C. Lenoir, 38, pled guilty
March 6 in Lake County Superior Court IV to unemployment insurance fraud, a
Class D Felony. Lenoir purposefully defrauded the system by collecting
unemployment insurance benefits while working full-time.
The investigation began when an Indiana Department of
Workforce Development (DWD) employee confirmed Lenoir was working and receiving
wages while claiming unemployment insurance benefits. Using agency records and
information from Lenoir’s employer, DWD investigated and was able to verify she
worked while claiming unemployment insurance benefits.
Lenoir was ordered to repay $37,449 to DWD for the
benefits she fraudulently collected. She
was also sentenced to three years on probation.
DWD receives wage reports and new hire data from
Hoosier employers documenting who is employed and receiving compensation. The
agency uses this information to ensure people are not collecting unemployment
insurance benefits while working.
You can also help combat unemployment insurance fraud and
abuse by reporting it online at www.in.gov/dwd/fraud.
Your efforts will help ensure tax dollars are spent wisely and unemployment
insurance benefits are only paid to people who are eligible to receive them.
You do not need to provide your name or any other identifying information in
order to file a complaint in regards to unemployment insurance fraud.