Oct. 29, 2014
Four Arrested and Charged with Collecting Unemployment While Working
Three Worked for the City of Newark
Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that four individuals, including three employed by the city of Newark, were arrested today and charged with theft by deception for collecting unemployment benefits while employed.
Balaal Lewis, 38, of Newark; Tawanda Faulcon, 44, of Newark; Tyrone Farrington, 43, of Newark; and Melinda Dos Santos, 26, of Newark were arrested. Santos was working for Aramark at Rutgers University Newark. All the others were employed by the city of Newark.
It is alleged that the individuals collected unemployment benefits while they were gainfully employed, according to Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecutor Walter J. Dirkin. The amounts range from $7,000 to $23,000.
Their first court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 12.
The investigation was conducted by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Financial Crimes Unit, the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of the Inspector General Office of Labor Racketeering and Fraud Investigations.
The investigation is active and ongoing and other arrests are possible.
These are accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they enter a guilty plea or are found guilty in a court of law.
