ERIE, Pa. — A federal grand jury in Erie has indicted an Erie, Pennsylvania resident on charges of wire fraud and theft of government property, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
The five-count indictment names Elizabeth Goss, 43, as the sole defendant.
According to the indictment, from around June 2020 through February 2023, Goss worked at the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry and accepted unauthorized payments from unemployment compensation claimants. In return, she approved and expedited Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and other pandemic-related claims, even though the claimants were not eligible for those benefits. The indictment alleges that her actions led to approximately $528,449 in unemployment compensation benefits being paid to ineligible claimants.
“This investigation and the resulting Indictment send a clear message that government employees who steal and misuse public funds will be brought to justice,” said United States Attorney Rivetti. “Our office and our law enforcement partners are committed to rooting out fraud and safeguarding the public treasury.”
“At the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, we are relentless in protecting the integrity of unemployment insurance programs,” said Anthony P. D’Esposito, Inspector General, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General. “Together with our law enforcement partners, we are going on offense against fraud—tracking down those who exploit these benefits and holding them accountable. Fraud will not be tolerated. If you try to game the system, we will find you.”
“Postal Inspectors remain steadfast in pursuing individuals who misuse the mail to defraud government programs intended to support the American public in times of need,” said Acting Inspector in Charge of the United States Postal Inspection Service, Pittsburgh Division, Dave Cunningham. “We are grateful for the continued partnership and coordinated efforts of our law enforcement and prosecutorial colleagues, whose dedication was instrumental throughout this investigation.”
The law allows for a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both, for each of Counts One through Four (wire fraud). Count Five (theft of government property) carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the court will determine the actual sentence based on the seriousness of the offenses and the defendant’s prior criminal history, if any.
Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.
The Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, United States Postal Inspection Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry led the investigation that resulted in the indictment.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The division’s core mission focuses on aggressively investigating and prosecuting individuals who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer funds. These efforts support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government initiative chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse in federal benefit programs.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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