Attorney General John M. Formella and Department of Employment Security Commissioner George Copadis announce that Erica Hebert, formerly of Laconia, New Hampshire and last known of Las Vegas, Nevada was indicted on March 17, 2023, in Belknap County Superior Court, on one count of unemployment compensation fraud, a class A felony, and one count of identity fraud, a class A felony.
The State alleges that Ms. Hebert used her position as office manager at her employer to file a claim for unemployment benefits while she was still working full-time and pose as her employer to “verify” that fraudulent claim. Over the course of 20 weeks between February 13, 2021, and August 7, 2021, Ms. Hebert knowingly failed to disclose her employment and earnings in order to obtain unemployment compensation benefits. As a result, Ms. Hebert received $13,340.00 in unemployment compensation benefits, including enhanced federal benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic, to which she was not entitled.
The charges and allegations set forth in the indictment are merely accusations, and Ms. Hebert is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Ms. Hebert’s arraignment is scheduled for April 12, 2023, in Belknap County Superior Court.
The Department of Employment Security provides unemployment compensation benefits to eligible claimants who are unemployed through no fault of their own. The Department investigates and prosecutes both criminal and civil unemployment compensation fraud with the goal of protecting New Hampshire’s unemployment compensation trust fund. To report possible unemployment fraud, call 1-800-852-3400, or use the online form at https://business.nh.gov/NCharge/NHES/default.asp?form_name=InsuranceFraud.