Branford Man Charged With Unemployment Compensation Fraud, Larceny, and Identity Theft Crimes

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Rocky Hill, CT) - A Branford man was ordered re-arrested today following his refusal to appear in court on charges of multiple counts of unemployment compensation fraud, larceny, and identity theft.

Jason Turoczi, age 40, currently incarcerated with the State of Connecticut Department of Correction, with a last known address in Branford, was charged on January 13, 2023 with five counts of Felony Unemployment Compensation Fraud, five counts of Larceny in the First Degree by Defrauding a Public Community, three counts of Attempted Larceny in the Second Degree by Defrauding a Public Community, two counts of Identity Theft in the First Degree, two counts of Identity Theft in the Second Degree, three counts of Identity Theft in the Third Degree, and three counts of Misdemeanor Unemployment Compensation Fraud.

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. Unemployment benefits are funded by employers doing business and paying wages in Connecticut.

According to the arrest warrant affidavit, Turoczi fraudulently collected approximately $72,028 in unemployment benefits under his own identity and the identities of his deceased grandmother, his deceased mother, his deceased father, and two other living individuals. The fraudulent claims covered the time period from March 2020 through November 2020. Unemployment benefits were significantly increased during this time period due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A company created by Turoczi called CCJ Property Management was the stated employer in a number of Turoczi’s fraudulent claims. The arrest warrant alleges the company was created for fraudulent purposes, including the illegal collection of unemployment benefits.

Turoczi is alleged to have advocated the use of unemployment fraud to a group of individuals who are also accused of carrying out unemployment fraud scams during the Covid pandemic, including: Otis Paramore, Christina DeBiase, Gloria DeBiase, Cami DeMace, and Bobby Wong. Paramore, the two DeBiases, and DeMace have been arrested on various charges and their cases are pending in New Britain Superior Court. There is an outstanding arrest warrant for Bobby Wong. The total amount of unemployment compensation fraud committed by these five individuals is approximately $108,567.

In addition to the charges in this case, Turoczi is currently facing charges in 15 different cases in 10 of the state’s 13 Judicial Districts. He has an extensive criminal record, including convictions for crimes involving larcenies, forgeries, identity theft, bad checks, narcotics, violation of probation, and failure to appear. His bonds in those cases total over $270,000.

Turoczi was scheduled to appear today in Superior Court, G.A. No. 15, New Britain. Upon his refusal to attend the hearing, the Honorable Tammy D. Geathers ordered Turoczi re-arrested and set bond at $35,000. The charges against Turoczi and the aforementioned accused are merely accusations and each is presumed innocent unless and until found guilty.

Larceny in the First Degree by Defrauding a Public Community and Identity Theft 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. Attempted Larceny in the Second Degree by Defrauding a Public Community and Identity Theft in the Second Degree are Class C felonies punishable by not less than one year nor more than 10 years in prison and/or up to a $10,000 fine. Felony Unemployment Compensation Fraud and Identity Theft in the Third Degree are Class D felonies punishable by up to 5 years in prison and/or up to a $5,000 fine. Misdemeanor Unemployment Compensation Fraud is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in prison and/or up to a $2,000 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.