A man pleaded guilty to fraud and obtaining unemployment benefits in Mississippi on Monday, according to State Auditor Shad White’s office.
According to Auditor White, Benjamin Coleman pleaded guilty to one count of making misleading statements and representations.
According to the press release, Coleman used phony weekly certification forms to claim unemployment benefits from the Mississippi Department of Employment Security.
The Forrest County Circuit Court sentenced him to three years of pre-trial diversion and ordered him to pay $2,824 in restitution and $175 in fines.
“My office will continue to drop the hammer on criminals who can be identified and recover as much misspent taxpayer dollars as possible,” White said.
White’s office stated that suspected fraud can be reported by calling 1-800-321-1275 during regular business hours or by visiting its website here.
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