3 Arrested For Filing False Unemployment Claims

RYE, NY — Westchester County District Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino Jr. announced more arrests in an ongoing investigation into unemployment insurance benefits fraud. Three men were arrested Tuesday, Oct. 23 for filing false New York State unemployment claims in White Plains, thereby defrauding the NYS Department of Labor and the people of New York State out of thousands of dollars in payments. The DOL initiated the investigations, enlisted Homeland Security Investigations in New York and referred the cases to the District Attorney’s Office for this joint investigation.

The three defendants — Jeremias Lara, Pedro Santana and Ivan Vacacela — were arrested early Tuesday by investigators from the DA’s office and HSI. Each man was charged with one count of first-degree offering a false instrument for filing, a felony, with intent to defraud the state. The men are seasonal laborers who arranged to receive benefits while spending much of their off-work “winter” season out of the country. HSI was able to confirm their travels, authorities said.

The men were arraigned in White Plains City Court because the fraud allegedly was committed at the state Unemployment Career Center on Bloomingdale Road in White Plains. They were released on their own recognizance and their next court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 9.

Specifically, the felony complaints allege the following:

Jeremias Lara, 53, a landscaper for Luppino Landscaping and Masonry based in Mount Kisco, received unemployment insurance benefits of approximately $12,182. His certifications of unemployment were false because he concealed that he was actually living outside the U.S. during periods each year from December 2014 to March 2017, law enforcement officials said.

Pedro Santana, 57, a groundskeeper for the Apawamis Club in Rye, received unemployment insurance benefits of approximately $11,950. His certifications of unemployment were false because he concealed that he was actually living outside the U.S. during periods each year from November 2014 to March 2016, police said.

Ivan Vacacela, 38, irrigation technician for Aqua Turf Irrigation Systems in Elmsford, received unemployment insurance benefits of approximately $11,990. Authorities said his certifications of unemployment were false because he concealed that he was actually living outside the U.S. during periods each year from December 2013 to April 2016.

Scarpino said unemployment benefits are a lifeline for those out of work in situations beyond their control, but, they are not free.

"Anyone seeking unemployment insurance must follow the rules. These defendants did not. They broke the law,” he said.

“Let this case serve as a warning to those who would seek to defraud the UI system: you will be brought to justice,” NYS Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said.

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