JACKSON, Miss. – State Auditor Shad White announced the arrests of Thaddieus Cooper and his sister, Artista Garner, for conspiracy to defraud the State of Mississippi. The two were charged with illegally obtaining unemployment benefits from the Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES) while Cooper was ineligible due to being incarcerated.
While in prison, Cooper called Garner and asked her to complete the unemployment application on his behalf. Cooper later received the fraudulent benefits through a Way2Go debit card, which Garner used multiple times for personal expenses.
“These arrests are part of our ongoing efforts to crack down on unemployment fraud,” said Auditor White. “Thanks to the investigators and prosecutors involved in this case.”
If convicted, both Cooper and Garner could face up to five years in prison and fines of $1,000 each. All individuals arrested are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
