Press Release

Press Release  New Bedford Man Pleads Guilty, Sentenced for Unemployment Fraud

Defendant Illegally Collected Over $14,000
For immediate release:
12/17/2018
  • Office of Attorney General Maura Healey

Media Contact   for New Bedford Man Pleads Guilty, Sentenced for Unemployment Fraud

Alex Bradley

BostonA New Bedford man has pleaded guilty to collecting over $14,000 in unemployment benefits while employed, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today.

Douglas Nunes, age 42, of New Bedford, pleaded guilty in Boston Municipal Court last week to Unemployment Fraud (2 counts) and Larceny Over $250. After the plea was entered, Judge Michael Coyne sentenced Nunes to six months in the House of Correction.

“The defendant stole from taxpayers and took advantage of our state’s unemployment system,” said AG Healey. “We will continue to go after those who defraud the state and take valuable resources away from those who need them.”

The AG’s Office began an investigation after the matter was referred by the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development’s Department of Unemployment Assistance (EOLWD\DUA).

The AG’s investigation revealed that Nunes applied for and received unemployment benefits between September 2009 and June 2010, during which time he failed to disclose his employment to the EOLWD/DUA. During the 35 weeks that Nunes collected unemployment benefits, he earned more than $40,000 through his employment at Massachusetts Electric Construction Company. Although Nunes was first charged in June 2013, he repeatedly failed to appear for court dates and only recently appeared to resolve this case.

AG Healey’s Insurance and Unemployment Fraud Unit works to protect consumers and the integrity of the insurance system by investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against all types of insurers, including the state’s unemployment insurance and workers’ compensation systems.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Gabriel Thornton and investigated by Philip Mantyla, of the AG’s Insurance and Unemployment Fraud Unit.

###

Media Contact   for New Bedford Man Pleads Guilty, Sentenced for Unemployment Fraud

  • Office of the Attorney General 

    Attorney General Maura Healey is the chief lawyer and law enforcement officer of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
  • Help Us Improve Mass.gov  with your feedback

    Please do not include personal or contact information.
    Feedback