ALBUQUERQUE — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)), published as received.
ALBUQUERQUE – A Texas man pleaded guilty to federal charges after admitting he fraudulently filed unemployment insurance claims in New Mexico using stolen identities to obtain federally funded COVID-19 relief benefits.
According to court documents, from July 2020 through February 2021, Marc Long, 46, devised and carried out a scheme to defraud the United States and financial institutions by submitting fraudulent unemployment insurance claims funded by federal COVID 19 relief programs. While residing in Texas, Long used the names and personally identifiable information of multiple individuals to file false unemployment insurance applications and weekly certifications with the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions (NMDWS), even though neither he nor the individuals whose identities he used were eligible to receive benefits.
As a result of the fraudulent claims, federally funded unemployment benefits were distributed through interstate wire transfers, mailed debit cards, and direct deposits to accounts accessible by Long. In total, Long stole more than $160,000 in federal unemployment relief funds issued through the NMDWS.
Long pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud, two counts of mail fraud and two counts of theft of government property. At sentencing, he faces up to 30 years imprisonment followed by a three-year term of supervised release.
Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The FBI Albuquerque Field Office and Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General investigated this case, with assistance from the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico is prosecuting the case.
