KOSCIUSKO — Two local men receive convictions following an investigation into unemployment insurance fraud.  The agency’s unemployment insurance fraud investigation taskforce examines claims of individuals who intentionally provide false, misreported or unreported information in order to fraudulently claim benefits. As a result of the task force’s investigations, courts recently found these local individuals guilty of unemployment insurance fraud:

• Cheyenne D. Ritenour of Warsaw was sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to repay $14,394 for the benefits he fraudulently collected.
• Joshua J. Bradley of Claypool was sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to repay $13,330.20 for the benefits he fraudulently collected.

Throughout the past three years, DWD has increased its efforts to identify and prosecute individuals who committed unemployment insurance fraud. You can help combat unemployment insurance fraud and abuse by reporting it online at www.in.gov/dwd/fraud. Your efforts will assist the agency in ensuring that tax dollars are spent wisely and unemployment insurance benefits are paid only 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.

Other individuals found guilty of unemployment insurance fraud include:

• Aaron J. Beldon of Argos was sentenced to two years of home detention, four years of probation and ordered to repay $48,317 for the benefits he fraudulently collected.
• Symphonie Watkins of South Bend was sentenced to one year of probation and ordered to repay $10,341 for the benefits she fraudulently collected.
• Sandra Hallman of South Bend was sentenced to one year of probation and ordered to repay $17,656 for the benefits she fraudulently collected.
• Deborah A. Fowler of South Bend was sentenced to two years of probation and ordered to repay $33,239 for the benefits she fraudulently collected.