31 Indicted In $2 Million Unemployment Fraud Scheme

New Jersey officials have indicted 31 people in what they say is a wide-ranging unemployment fraud scheme that netted approximately $2 million.

Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa announced the indictments at a news conference in Newark Friday.

Authorities say the scheme was a family affair. Authorities say it was masterminded by 35-year-old Newark resident Terry Dilligard II along with his mother, father, twin sister and former girlfriend. Dilligard told authorities through his lawyer that he would be surrendering.

Those five and 26 others are charged with filing false unemployment claims by claiming jobs they never held, using stolen identities and using the names of people who were deceased.

The defendants face theft and money laundering charges. Thirteen people had been arrested by Thursday.

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