Stamford Man Charged With Felony Unemployment Compensation Fraud, Larceny

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Rocky Hill, CT) - A Stamford man has been charged with illegally collecting more than $31,000 in unemployment compensation benefits.

Zain Jafri, age 27, of McMullen Avenue, Stamford, was arrested on February 1, 2023, and charged with one count each of Felony Unemployment Compensation Fraud and Larceny in the First Degree by Defrauding a Public Community.

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, Jafri fraudulently collected approximately $31,130 in unemployment benefits from May 2020 through May 2021. Johnson was working and failed to report his wages while he was collecting the unemployment benefits.

Jafri was released on a $10,000 non-surety bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for February 9, 2023, in Superior Court, G.A. No. 15, New Britain. The charges against Jafri are merely accusations and he is presumed innocent unless and until he is found guilty.

Unemployment Compensation Fraud in excess of $500 is a Class D felony punishable by not less than 1 year nor more than 5 years in prison and/or up to a $5,000 fine. Larceny in the First Degree by Defrauding a Public Community is a Class B felony punishable by not less than 1 year nor more than 20 years in prison and/or up to a $15,000 fine.

The case is being prosecuted by the Unemployment Compensation Fraud Unit, which was established under a partnership between the Division of Criminal Justice and the state 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.