Couple Pleads Guilty to Unemployment Fraud

JACKSON, Miss. – Today State Auditor Shad White announced that Brandon Williams and Miranda Truelove have both pleaded guilty to one count each of Conspiracy to Defraud the Government. The couple were receiving fraudulent unemployment benefits.

Williams made numerous phone calls to Truelove, his wife at the time, requesting she help him apply for unemployment benefits while he was incarcerated. Williams received the benefits via a Way2Go debit card, which Truelove used on numerous occasions.

“Our team at the State Auditor’s office uses the latest technology and investigative techniques to get record results for taxpayers,” said State Auditor Shad White. “Thank you to my team of investigators and to the prosecutors for bringing this case to a close.”

Williams and Truelove were both prosecuted in the Lee County Circuit Court. The couple were sentenced to five years of house arrest, post-release supervision and ordered to pay a total of $7,329.60 in restitution.

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