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12/02/2022

Fairfield Woman Charged With Multiple Larceny, Unemployment Compensation Fraud, and Identity Theft Crimes

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

(Rocky Hill, CT) –  A Fairfield woman was arrested today and charged with committing 11 crimes involving larceny, unemployment compensation fraud, and identity theft.
 
Cami DeMace, age 42, of Fairfield, was charged with two counts of Larceny in the First Degree by Defrauding a Public Community, three counts of Unemployment Compensation Fraud, two counts of Identity Theft in the Third Degree, Attempt to Commit Larceny in the Second Degree, Conspiracy to Commit Larceny in the First Degree, Conspiracy to Commit Unemployment Compensation Fraud, and Conspiracy to Commit Identity Theft in the Third Degree.
 
The arrest is the result of an investigation conducted by the Statewide Prosecution Bureau, Unemployment Compensation Fraud Unit in the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney following a complaint by the Connecticut Department of Labor.
 
According to the arrest warrant affidavit, DeMace fraudulently collected approximately $15,312 in unemployment benefits between May and September 2020. Unemployment benefits were significantly increased during this time period due to the COVID-19 pandemic. DeMace applied for and collected the benefits even though she had been fired from her last job. Unemployment benefits have been designated as economic support for individuals who have become unemployed through no fault of their own.  The benefits are funded by employers doing business in Connecticut.

In June and July of 2020, DeMace conspired with a codefendant to collect approximately $4,776 in unemployment benefits using the identity of an individual who was incarcerated at the time. This individual had no knowledge of the fraud.

In August and September 2020, DeMace attempted to collect unemployment benefits using the identity of a family member.  No benefits were paid out under this claim.

DeMace was released on a $40,000 non-surety bond. Her next court appearance is scheduled for December 12, 2022, in New Britain Superior Court, G.A. No. 15. The charges against DeMace are merely accusations and she is presumed innocent unless and until she is found guilty.

Larceny in the First Degree by Defrauding a Public Community and Conspiracy to Commit Larceny in the First Degree are Class B felonies punishable by not less than one year nor more than 20 years in prison and/or up to a $15,000 fine. Attempt to Commit Larceny in the Second Degree is a Class C felony punishable by not less than one year nor more than 10 years in prison and/or up to a $10,000 fine. Unemployment Compensation Fraud and Conspiracy to Commit Unemployment Compensation Fraud in excess of $500 are Class D felonies punishable by not less than 1 year nor more than 5 years in prison and/or up to a $5,000 fine.  Unemployment Compensation Fraud of less than $500 is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by not more than 1 year nor more than 5 years in prison and/or up to a $2,000 fine.  Identity Theft in the Third Degree and Conspiracy to Commit Identity Theft in the Third Degree are Class D felonies punishable by not less than 1 year nor more than 5 years in prison and/or up to a $5,000 fine.

The case is being prosecuted by the Statewide Prosecution Bureau, Unemployment Compensation Fraud Unit, which was established under a partnership between the Division of Criminal Justice and the Department of Labor to investigate and prosecute alleged fraud in the unemployment compensation program. It is financed with funds provided by the U.S. Department of Labor.