Prayshana Washington, 37, of Houston, Texas, was sentenced today to three years and one month in federal prison without parole for her role in a scheme that defrauded the Missouri Division of Employment Security and the California Employment Development Department out of more than $800,000 in unemployment benefits.
U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips imposed the sentence, which also includes restitution payments. Washington must pay $808,019 in restitution to the Missouri Division of Employment Security and $28,350 to the California Employment Development Department, totaling $836,369 in restitution.
On May 23, 2024, Washington pleaded guilty to one count of theft of government property after admitting to facilitating the filing of false unemployment claims. These claims were submitted in her name as well as the names of others, using stolen personal information.
Over the course of more than a year, Washington filed 38 successful claims for unemployment benefits, including funds provided under the CARES Act. The individuals whose identities were used were not eligible for the benefits.
The fraudulent claims were made using false statements to the Missouri Department of Employment Services, allowing Washington to receive funds she was not entitled to. The scheme lasted throughout 2020 and into 2021, taking advantage of the COVID-19 relief measures.
Washington’s sentence serves as a reminder of the severe consequences of fraudulently obtaining government assistance, especially during critical times like the COVID-19 pandemic.
