Auditor’s office nets three

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — State Auditor Shad White announced that Special Agents from his office have arrested Chadwick Stubbs, Blair Stubbs, and Shinka Stubbs as part of a detailed investigation into unemployment compensation fraud called Operation Payback.

Chadwick Stubbs, Blair Stubbs, and Shinka Stubbs allegedly submitted fraudulent claims to obtain unemployment funds by using the identities of thirteen different inmates who were incarcerated with Blair and Chadwick Stubbs at the time the claims were submitted to the Mississippi Department of Employment Security.

“My office discovered that during COVID, Mississippi handed out over half a billion dollars in improper unemployment payments,” said State Auditor Shad White. “We will continue working diligently to hold criminals accountable and recover as much of this misspent money as possible.”

If convicted Chadwick, Blair, and Shinka Stubbs face up to $36,000 in fines and up to 45 years in prison. All persons arrested by the Mississippi Office of the State Auditor are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Suspected fraud can be reported to the Auditor’s office at any time by clicking the red button at www.osa.ms.govor calling 1-(800)-321-1275 during normal business hours.