Misty Burgess Sentenced to Over Two Years for Unemployment Fraud

By Staff Reports

Oxford, MS — Misty Burgess, a 49-year-old woman from Plantersville, was sentenced to 27 months in prison after submitting fraudulent unemployment benefits applications under the name of a relative incarcerated in the Mississippi Department of Corrections.

Burgess fraudulently claimed over $15,000 in unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic, using the CARES Act provisions intended to support workers during the crisis. She was initially charged with theft of government property and wire fraud but pleaded guilty to theft of government property in May 2024.

Judge Orders Restitution and Supervised Release
On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Michael P. Mills sentenced Burgess to 27 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Additionally, the court ordered Burgess to pay restitution of $15,604 to the State of Mississippi.

A Step Toward Accountability
“This sentence is an important step in ensuring that those who make fraudulent claims to government funds will be held accountable,” remarked U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner. The Mississippi State Auditor’s Office investigator, Chris Watkins, uncovered the fraud scheme, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Feleica Wilson handling the prosecution.

Burgess’s case highlights the ongoing effort to prevent and prosecute fraud against public assistance programs during the pandemic.