OHIO — An investigation by the Ohio Inspector General found that a temporary worker with the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services improperly distributed more than $565,000 of COVID unemployment assistance funds in 2021.

What You Need To Know

  • The funds were through the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program

  • Carr had accessed specific PUA claims, voided fraud and removed fact-finding information

  • The investigation found she accessed 28 PUA claims, five of which involved relatives or acquaintances 

The funds were part of the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program in 2020 to help those struggling with unemployment during the COVID-19. According to the investigation, ODJFS had to hire intermittent and temporary workers to help handle the influx of unemployment claims. 

During the 2021 fiscal year, the department worked to distribute about $7.6 billion in COVID unemployment assistance funds, and according to the Ohio Inspector General, much of the money had been determined as fraudulent. 

To investigate the fraudulent claims, a group was convened, including the Ohio Inspector General, Ohio State Highway Parol, U.S. Department of Labor, Inspector General and ODJFS.

On Aug. 19, 2021, ODJFS had referred an allegation of wrongdoing to the Ohio Inspector General involving an intermittent customer service representative, identified as Renita Carr. 

As the investigation continued, officials found that Carr had worked for Insight Global LLC before ODJFS as a customer service representative processing Pandemic Unemployment Assistance claims. Investigators determined that in both jobs, Carr improperly released more than $565,000 through 28 PUA claims, in which she engaged in actions outside the scope of her training and authority, the Ohio Inspector General said. The investigation found she improperly searched for specific PUA claimants and accessed their claims, voided fraud and eligibility issues and removed fact-finding informations. 

Additionally, five of the claims involved relatives or acquaintances. 

The report of investigation is now being referred to the Frankling County Prosecuting Attorney's Office and the Ohio Auditor of State.