Detroit Man Sentenced for Multi-State Pandemic Unemployment Fraud

Tracey Dotson, a 49-year-old man from Detroit, has been sentenced to 51 months in federal prison for his involvement in a multi-state unemployment fraud scheme that defrauded the U.S. government and various states of nearly $1 million in Pandemic Unemployment Assistance funds during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dotson pleaded guilty to wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud, admitting to filing hundreds of false unemployment claims using stolen identities without the victims' knowledge. The sentencing included an order for Dotson to pay over $900,000 in restitution, highlighting the significant impact of his actions on individuals in need of assistance during a global crisis. Authorities emphasized that the fraudulent activities not only exploited government resources but also caused hardship for genuine claimants. The case illustrates ongoing efforts by federal agencies to combat fraud linked to pandemic relief programs. Dotson's actions, which were part of a larger scheme involving multiple states, included using prepaid debit cards for luxury purchases.