An Ansonia man was charged Friday (Sept. 25) with illegally collecting almost $18,000 in Unemployment Compensation benefits, the state’s chief state’s attorney announced in a prepared statement.
Alston Smith, age 50, of Buswell Street, was charged with one count each of first-degree larceny defrauding a public community and unemployment compensation fraud.
The arrest is the result of an investigation by the Unemployment Compensation Fraud Unit in the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney following a complaint by the Connecticut Department of Labor.
According to the arrest warrant affidavit, Smith fraudulently collected approximately $17,878 in unemployment benefits from February 2011 to January 2012 when he was, in fact, employed.
Smith was released on a $10,000 non-surety bond and is scheduled to appear at Superior Court in New Britain Oct. 2.
“The charges are merely accusations and he is presumed innocent unless and until he is found guilty,” the statement from the chief state’s attorney’s office said.
The crimes are punishable by up to 25 years and prison and fines totaling $20,000.
The case is being prosecuted by the Unemployment Compensation Fraud Unit, which was established under a partnership between the Division of Criminal Justice and the Department of Labor to investigate and prosecute alleged fraud in the unemployment compensation program. It is financed with funds provided by the U.S. Department of Labor.
